How is it diagnosed?

Ultrasonography

or Ultrasound

This is a simple, painless and relatively quick investigation which can be used to obtain a picture of the inside of the abdomen.

Computerised Tomography

CT Scan

This is more complex and time consuming than an ultrasound scan but produces excellent pictures of the pancreas and other abdominal structures.

Endoluminal Ultrasound

EUS

This is a special investigation for taking ultrasound pictures of the pancreas, pancreatic and bile ducts and surrounding tissue such as blood vessels.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, electric field gradients, and radio waves to generate images of the organs in the body.

PET Scan

A positron emission tomography is special scan performed in a Nuclear Medicine Department or certain centres if there is uncertainty as to the diagnosis between chronic pancreatitis or a small pancreatic cancer.