International Journal of Clinical & Medical Images

Clinical Image

Pancreatic head adenocarcinoma is a cancer with a poor prognosis, usually discovered lately. The CT scan with contrast enhancement at the delayed arterial phase (45s) plays an important role in assessment of vascular extension by evaluating the invasion of the celiac trunk, the superior mesenteric and hepatic arteries, the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and the portal vein. The teardrop sign describes the invasion of the superior mesenteric vein by pancreatic head adenocarcinoma. The SMV takes the shape of a teardrop with a rounded and a pointed end (Figure 1). Surgical excision is the only curative treatment for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The tumor is unresectable if there is metastasis, arterial contact greater than 180° or non-reconstructable venous extension (SMV and portal vein).

Keywords: Teardrop; Arteries; CT