How to diagnose pancreatic fatty atrophy?

Question

Hi doctor,

I had a CT scan recently. I need to know what these two findings mean:

Pancreas: Probable fatty atrophy about the head and uncinate.
Lower chest: Calcified granuloma right lower lobe. Minimal linear scarring or atelectasis within the lingula and right lower lobe.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Based on the CT (computed tomography) image findings (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity), I could grasp the below things. However, patient examination, complete symptoms evaluation, and medical history are required to comment accurately.

1. Pancreas is showing age-related atrophy in some of its parts. The pancreas has been divided into the head, body, tail, and uncinate. Among them, head and uncinate show probable nonfunctioning due to age-related changes, or it could also be due to alcoholism or small stones obstructing pancreatic ducts. Rarely it can be due to trauma to the stomach or infections.

2. Calcified granulomas in the lungs are due to the healing of past lung infections. This could be due to pneumonia or other infections due to which part of the lung is nonfunctional. Atelectasis is due to obstruction leading to nonfunctioning lung tissue beyond the obstruction level. Hope this helps you understand, but complete medical history is required to comment better.

Please take care.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The probability of cancer is very minimal. Fat atrophy usually is not indicative of cancer. Current CT indicates the same. But needs correlation with symptoms.

Pneumonia is one of the causes of granuloma. It could also be due to some medical conditions like asthma, bronchiectasis, or some conditions where other body parts are affected along with the lungs. Sometimes obstruction is due to mucus plugs in chronic smokers. If a small part of the lung is affected usually, it will not cause trouble as the remaining lungs do compensate for the same.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It should be read as CT does not indicate for same. Sincerely sorry for this. You should not worry much about it. As said, stuck mucus plugs can also cause obstruction and such changes. As long as you do not have breathing difficulties, it is of no major concern.

You should follow up with your doctor for proctocolitis periodically.

Answer 4

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

If it were cancerous, CT would have shown a change in the contour of the pancreas, lymph node enlargement surrounding the organ, some distortion or pressure effects on surrounding organs, etc., which are not present currently. Please do not be concerned about it much. As said earlier, please follow up with your doctor for proctocolitis and appropriate treatment.

Please take Care.

Answer 5

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I hear your concerns about it being cancerous. Fat atrophy, as such, turning cancerous, is very rare. Also, occasional alcohol usually does not lead to the risk, but chronic and heavy alcoholism do. In our case, it is not the case. Your friend might have had other risk factors like family history, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, alcoholism, some hereditary conditions, genetic mutations, etc. Most cancers (including the pancreas) cause may not be identifiable.

Be assured and be in touch with your doctor for regular follow-ups.