Echogenicity of the pancreas is raised that. Increased echoity of the pancreas: what it means

  • The date: 04.04.2019

eringko In conclusion, ultrasound can be found in the formulation: the echogenicity of the pancreas is raised - what it is will help to decipher the attending physician. In some cases, such a state should be investigated in more detail to identify specific pathology and begin to treat it. In others, it is just an echo disconnection that is temporary and has arisen under influence external factors. Only a specialist is able to figure out and explain everything.

Echogenicity: What could mean?

Ultrasound examination is one of the main methods for diagnosing a set of pathologies and diseases. internal organs. It is this method of examination involves the use of the term echoism. What does it mean? It means that the organ on which the ultrasound is essential is capable of reflecting it. This reflection is registered by the sensor, as a result of which the doctor has the opportunity to consider the ultrasound authority on the screen.

Any internal organ has its own density. It can be both homogeneous and inhomogeneous. Echogenicity is an indicator of uniformity of the structure of the body under study. An increase in the density of the pancreas speaks of an increase in echogenicity. It is fixed when the organs of the organ are subject to change, more precisely, the number of normal gland cells is reduced, of which the body under consideration is.

In what cases are the changes observed?

A similar phenomenon can be diffuse and local. An increase in the echogenicity of the pancreas often may mean that the patient has serious diseases. At the same time, such a phenomenon is not considered a final diagnosis. It is just a symptom that is detected by ultrasound and may indicate possible pathology. The exceptions are cases when foci of increased echogenicity are detected in combination with clinical symptomsIn most cases, there is a different disease.

The diffuse increase is observed in the following pathologies:

  1. Pancreatic tissue swelling, which indicate development acute pancreatitis. Such an echo beacon is accompanied by special symptoms, in particular, the patient marks an acute abdominal pain, he has vomiting and diarrhea.
  2. Pancreonenecrozes, which is accompanied by a derivation of organ cells. On ultrasound, it is revealed in the form of a light area. This diagnosis is confirmed if the patient complains of a strong, sometimes unbearable pain in the abdomen, diarrhea and indomitable vomiting. In this case, the patient's condition may be heavy.
  3. Lipomatosis of the pancreas. In this case, it is replaced by iron tissue with fat cells that do not contain intracellular fluid. At the same time, the organs are not always increased. Such a state is characterized in most cases as immaturity.
  4. Tumor gland. The sign of the presence of foci of increased echogenicity is accompanied by weakness, pallor, cutting weight loss, lack of appetite, stool violation.
  5. Diabetes.
  6. Pancreas fibrosis. With this pathology, the ultrasound will reveal a decrease in the size of the body and the change in its contours.

Elevated echogenicity The pancreas does not always indicate a violation. It can be caused by the impact of various factors, the influence of which indicates that such an increase is only temporary. These include changing the ration or lifestyle change. Such an echoid discovery is detected and after a person suffered various infectious diseases (pneumonia, flu, meningococcal infection). If the patient was tight before studying the ultrasound, the result is an increase in the echogenicity of body tissues.

What does the local increase talking about and how to cope with pathology?

Local echogenicity of pancreatic parenchyma is raised with the following states:

  1. The formation of pseudocyst in the body as a result of previously transferred pancreatitis in acute form. In this case, echogenicity will be significantly elevated, and the contours of the gland are uneven, with jazzed edges.
  2. The presence of calcifications on organ tissues. Their appearance is associated with a chronic inflammatory process that occurred in the pancreas.
  3. The growth of adipose tissue. If a person is excessive consumes fatty food, then the pancreas reacts to this replacement of normal cells for fat.
  4. The formation of fibrous sections due to pancreoneconosis against the scarring of fabric.
  5. Blockage of gonduct stones.
  6. Fibrozno-cystic transformation of the gland.
  7. Metastases that appear from the primary cancer of other organs.

Diseases that are characterized by an increase in echogenicity should be treated under the supervision of the doctor. This is done after finding out the reason that caused the appearance of such a sign on the ultrasound.

If acute pancreatitis was revealed, then appointed special preparationsunder the influence of which there is a decrease in the development of hydrochloric acid. In addition, they depress the enzymatic activity, which is characterized by pancreas.

In some cases, it is sufficient to adjust the human diet, significantly limiting the consumption of fatty products, and the identified violation will be given normal. This refers to lipomatosis. And acute pancreatitis requires compliance with a strict diet. If the reason for the increase in echogenicity was the formation of stones in pancreatic ducts, then do not do without surgical intervention. Whatever the appearance of such an echo drive is caused, it is necessary to determine as accurately as possible and take measures to eliminate it.

Today it is often possible to see the conclusion of ultrasound, which suggests that there is an increased echogenicity of the pancreas. Part of the people, having learned about it, quickly try to find treatment, the rest, on the contrary, this phenomenon is considered completely unimportant. Nevertheless, such an ultrasound syndrome indicates a sufficiently dangerous pathological process in the gland. It is not considered a diagnosis and needs prior consultation with a specialist.

What implies echogenicity

The echogenicity of the pancreas is the term applied only regarding the interpretation of the ultrasound. Speaks about the possibility of fabric on which the ultrasound is aimed at reflecting it. The reflected high-frequency sound is recorded as the same device that allows the waves. The difference between these two indicators creates a common dynamics from various shades of gray, which can be observed on the device screen.

In all organs, there are eigenous indicators of echogenicity, moreover, they are homogeneous or not. The following relationship is noted: the denser the organ, the higher the echogenicity (is displayed with a lighter shade). Liquid high-frequency sounds skip. This is referred to as "echonegativity", and the structures of a liquid nature are called anechogen. For blades and gallblades, heart cavities, gastrointestinal tract, vessels, brain ventricles This "behavior" is the norm.

The increased echogenicity of the pancreas is observed in the case when insufficiently normal iron cells be inside the organ tissue (the fluid contributes to a decrease in echogenicity, and these cells are saturated with it).

Similar changes are noted locally and diffuse. In addition, this indicator is capable of briefly affecting certain factors.

Causes of enhancement of echogenicity

The diffuse change in the permeability of the body of the body for the ultrasound is a sign of the pathological process, but it also happens within acceptable limits. This is not characteristic of areas with increased echogenicity - it is often pathology.

Echogenicity of pancreatic parenchyma increases due to the following factors:


The formation of inside the gland of the connective tissue occurs mainly due to the previously transferred inflammation or failures in metabolism. In the current situation, the patient is able to recall cases of non-permanent chairs, painful sensations in the abdomen. Ultrasound can show not only an increase in echogenicity, but also a decrease in the size of the organ, the bugness of its outlines.

Hyperehogeneity in the pancreas is short-term phenomenon, which manifests itself:


During these short-term states, the echogenicity of the organ is increased in an average degree, as opposed to pathological processes, when significant hyperhehogenicity is noted.

Hyperehogenic inclusions

These phenomena in the pancreas are:

Elimination of pathological hyperochogenicity

Therapy is assigned when the diagnosis of factors contributed to the conversion of tissues inside the gland is prescribed. In a situation with acute and chronic pancreatitis, treatment is carried out in clinical conditions. State therapy, if the echogenicity of the organ is increased, can only be appointed by a specialist who establishes the cause of similar ultrasonic symptoms:


Independent therapy of this pathology in the pancreas on this moment does not exist. The specialist diagnoses the reason for the change in tissue, directs treatment to further eliminate and restore the functioning of this body. When the cause of these changes diabetesThe therapy will be aimed at maintaining sugar content in the bloodstream, patient prescribe strict adherence to dietary nutrition.

In order to further prevent problems, you need to balance your diet, you should remove the fat and fried foods from the menu, abandon the detrimental habits (alcohol and tobacco abuse). In order not to miss the beginning of changes in the tissues of the pancreas, it is necessary to be examined from time to time from a specialist and conduct preventive measures.

Ultrasound research (ultrasound) is the most popular and informative method Diagnosis of pancreatic diseases. During its conduct, specialists pay special attention to echo-disconnects indicating the development of pathological processes in the body. So, for example, an increase in the echogenicity of the pancreas, as well as its decline, indicates the emergence of various changes in the parenchyma gland, which may be a consequence of development serious diseases. And what is heightened or reduced echogenicity ultrasound examYou will learn now.

What it is?

Under the term "echogenicity" means the ability of the internal organs to reflect different radiation and impulses. It is characteristic of all the tissues of the body, including fat. When carrying out the ultrasound of the pancreas, it is subjected to numerous ultrasound pulses, which are reflected from the tissues of the gland back to the machine and create a kind of drawing, reflected on the computer monitor. According to this figure, the specialist can determine the state of the body, the presence of neoplasms in it, as well as the occurrence of seals in certain areas of the gland.

In this case, echoism is represented as a gray scale displayed on the monitor, which has several shades. Its color directly depends on the ability of the gland to reflect ultrasonic impulses. However, in this case, the configuration of the diagnostic apparatus, as well as some interference, which may occur as a result of the included mobile device, the presence of a heartcard in a patient, etc.

It should be immediately noted that the degree of echogenicity is not determined by the "eye". Before fixing it, a ultrasound study of a healthy liver in a person is carried out, during which the echogenicity of the organ is also determined. And only after that it is compared with the echogenicity of the pancreas.

As already mentioned, this indicator Displays a computer in the form of a gray scale that can have different shades. So, for example, if a person has an increased echogenicity of the pancreas, it looks like a light spot on the monitor, and hyperacterity is manifested in the form white Spot. If hypo echogenic areas are present on the pancreas (low echoism), then they are displayed in the form of dark spots, and moderate (medium) echogenicity is manifested as a section of light gray.

Snapshot of ultrasound of the pancreas

Factors provoking the change in echogenicity

If the echogenicity of the pancreas parenchyma changes, then this may be due to various processes in the tissues of the organ, its ducts or vessels with which it is permeated. And if we talk about pathologies under which such pathologies are observed, then the following can be distinguished:

  • presence in gravel of calculation deposits;
  • formation of tumors;
  • development of inflammatory processes in gland tissues (for example, pancreatitis);
  • the occurrence of necrotic processes in the body (that is, the dieting of its fabrics);
  • the development of lipomathose, in which the substitution of healthy gland cells is fat.

When developing all these pathological conditionsThe echo content of the gland is usually rising or decreased. However, the presence of such deviations is not yet a 100% sign of the development of diseases. To put an accurate diagnosis, you will need to go through a more detailed examination.

Is it always a change in echogenicity indicates the development of pathologies?

After a person is doing an ultrasound, for his own interest, he begins to independently re-read the conclusion of a specialist. And often it is written in it that the echogenicity of the pancreas is increased, but what it is, only units know. Some, seeing such a conclusion, immediately begin to think that they have serious pathologies requiring urgent treatment. But it is not.

As already mentioned, the diagnosis is not only implemented on the basis of these indicators. If the pancreatic echogenicity is reduced or increased, it suggests that the patient will need to undergo a deeper examination. After the ultrasound and detection of changes in the gland's ability to reflect ultrasound impulses, the diagnosis is carried out only with the following indicators:

  • symptoms that worries the patient;
  • the presence of deviations in feces and urine analysis;
  • changes in blood indicators (often in the development of the disease pathologies, there is an increase in the level of some enzymes generated by the pancreas);
  • the size of the gland (determined by ultrasound examination or CT), etc.


An enlarged pancreas was recorded in the picture.

Only after receiving all the results of a detailed examination of the patient, the doctor can put an accurate diagnosis and assign necessary treatment. If the additional examination does not show any deviations from the norm, then this indicates about normal work The glands and the absence of pathologies, even if the echogenicity of the pancreas is raised.

What pathologies may indicate increased echogencies?

Hyperehogenic inclusions in the pancreas indicate the presence in the body of dense areas arising against the background of focal clusters of fat cells. Such a phenomenon in medicine is called lipomatosis. Its treatment is to maintain a low-calorie diet and surgical intervention.

With increased echogenicity of the pancreas, they also talk about the development of inflammatory processes, which appear in case of diseases such as acute or chronic pancreatitis. Also, this indicator means gluing (sclerosing) of the organ ducts, which is a frequent satellite age-related changes in the body.

With elevated echogenicity, it is also possible to talk about the occurrence of fibrous changes in the parenchyma gland, when the predominance of connective tissue is noted. As rules, the development of such pathology occurs on the background of a long chronic pancreatitis. At the same time, during ultrasound research recorded diffuse changes In the authority and its uneven contours.

But it should be noted that if the pancreas has elevated echo anguds, it may also signal a man of incorrect lifestyle, namely large number Food that has a strong load on the organ, as well as a sedentary lifestyle. However, in this case, such deviations are temporary. If they are marked after 1-2 weeks after the patient "sat down" on a diet, then this indicates serious violations in the work of the gland and the development of the diseases described above.

Diffuse and local changes in the gland

With ultrasound of the pancreas and identification of echogenic performance, experts also pay much attention diffuse and local changes in the police parenchym. These status may indicate different pathologies. For example, the diffuse structure of the body may indicate significant changes in the tissues of the gland, which arise:

  • in lipomatosis (at this state, the diffusely inhomogeneous structure is detected, but there is no pronounced symptomatology);
  • exacerbation of pancreatitis (in this case there are pronounced symptoms that include strong pain syndrome, nausea, vomiting, etc.);
  • forming neoplasms in gland tissues (clinic consists in increased gas formation, cutting weight reduction, stool impairment, etc.).

But it should be noted that diffuse changes in the pancreas can also be recorded with improper nutrition, alcohol abuse or even with a conventional cold.


Differences of increased and reduced echogenicity

However, if diffuse changes are observed throughout the body, the locals are noted only at certain areas of the gland. And depending on the complaints of the patient and other indicators of ultrasound (tissue density, organ sizes, etc.), the doctor can put a preliminary diagnosis. But it must be necessarily confirmed using other diagnostic methods.

For example, local echo-discs are fixed:

  • when forming a pseudokist;
  • deposition of fat cells;
  • education in stony sediments in grafs;
  • metastases (they are found in the development of cancer 3-4 stages).

It should be understood that regardless of which echogenicity (mixed, reduced or elevated) was recorded by a specialist during a survey, these indicators should not be basic for diagnosis. In any case, differential diagnosis will be required.

Treatment methods

If the echogenicity of the pancreas is reduced or lowered, the doctor prescribes an additional examination that may include:

  • biochemical studies of blood and urine;
  • x-ray study;
  • calais analysis;
  • gastroendoscopy, etc.

Only after receiving all the results of the survey, the doctor determines whether a person needs treatment or not. After all, as already mentioned above, an increase in echogenicity can occur against the background of an improper nutrition or a passive lifestyle. If, during a detailed examination, serious pathologies were identified, the doctor determines how to treat them. Tactics of treatment depends on several factors - the type of disease, the age of the patient and its general status Health. Therapy can be carried out both surgical and medication.

But in any case, when identifying pancreatic pathologies, a diet is prescribed to all patients without exception, which completely eliminates from the diet, all foods that can negatively affect the work of the organ. Otherwise medical therapy It is individually selected.

Pancreas is the largest body that performs the function, both external and internal secretion. It participates in the development of special enzymes that are involved in the splitting of food and its speedy assaying.

It also produces insulin, thereby allowing you to adjust and maintain a sugar level in the body.

The human health largely depends on the normal functioning of the body. It is possible to determine the state of the pancreas in an ultrasound study. If iron is not subject to any inflammation or diseases, then its structure is homogeneous, the contours are clearly visible.

If the structure of the tissues of the pancreas is heterogeneous, this indicates the presence of some diseases. Most likely the development of pancreatitis. Even if the person does not have symptoms of the disease, doctors recommend to pass a number of additional research.

Reasons resulting in changes in the structure of the body

Specialists distinguish between several types of pancreas structure:

  1. normal;
  2. atrophic;
  3. local;
  4. heterogeneous.

If, in the diagnosis, the patient is visible in a non-uniform and suspicious echostructure of the pancreas, it may indicate initial stage The development of pancreatitis or already a long-term disease that has grown into a chronic form.

People are inhomogeneous, as well as a different pancreas echostructure may indicate the presence of the following diseases.

  1. Subighteous pancreatitis. This disease precedes the development of more serious diseases of the authority, including acute pancreatitis. Such a disease can last an indefinite period of time. When diagnosing it is assigned medicia treatment. It helps to prevent the development of pancreatic pancreatitis.
  2. Chronic pancreatitis. Very often to determine this disease according to the results of the ultrasound is very difficult, the echostructure is not clear. The fact is that when the disease is in the remission stage, the organ during diagnostics looks without any changes. Only with the exacerbation of the disease you can see the heterogeneity of the body structure.
  3. Cysts on the pancreas. Diagnostics allows you to determine the presence of a patient with neoplasms that are called cysts. They are formed on the pancreas. Usually several pieces are formed and they can change their location on the organ.
  4. Tumors. The neoplasms of different nature have an impact on the homogeneity of the structure of the body of the organ.

Heterogeneity of pancreatic tissues in children

The cause of the inhomogeneity of the body, which manifests itself as a echostructure with changes in childhood can be inflammatory process in the pancreas or problems with gastrointestinal tract. The development of special enzymes is disturbed and on the background of this develops.

Also, an excess of enzymes causes excessive production of gastric juice, which affects the state of the pancreas, it can show a echostructure. In order to proceed with the treatment of inflammation, it is necessary to put the production of gastric juice.

Methods of treatment

Treatment is selected to the patient individually depending on the type of disease and the degree of changing the body, it also shows the organ echostructure. Therapy includes not only reception medicinal preparationsBut strict adherence to the diet, in the complex go and.

Treatment should be started as early as possible, while pancreatitis has not developed against the background of the tissue inhomogeneity. In order for the appointed treatment to bring the result, the patient needs to visit the gastroenterologist, who will give recommendations regarding therapy.

Sometimes people have to do ultrasound abdominal cavity For one reason or another. If, during such a survey, the doctor wrote that there are deviations of the pancreas and they are overestimated, then this does not mean that it is necessary to fall into a panic, but it is not necessary to leave such a diagnosis.

What does the echogenicity of the pancreas increase?

Recommendations of the doctor

Echogenicity means the ability of tissues of certain organs to display ultrasound waves. People's organisms have a homogeneous structure, which makes it easy to pass by ultrasonic waves during the survey, but in some cases such waves will not be reflected well, and this will be the name of parenchyma, with all the ensuing consequences.

When examining such an organ as pancreas, the waves will be well reflected from its surface and thanks to this specialist can determine or not. In addition, thanks to this state, it will be possible to determine how much the density of the body is changed.
If during the ultrasound the doctor wrote that the pancreas has a special diagnosis, then this means that everything is normal. Due to the diagnosis of moderately, this will mean that the pancreas has a homogeneous structure. Due to the diagnosis of the mixed form of the disease, it will be possible to state that the pancreas has an inhomogeneous structure.

Elevated echogenicity

If the diagnosis of increased echoism is diagnosed, then such a conclusion will indicate serious problems in the pancreas. Among such problems may be pancreatitis, neoplasms. In order to confirm such a conclusion, it will be necessary to pass a number. additional examinations. In addition, you will need to repeat ultrasound.

What could be the pancreas echoism


Strong pain in a stomach

Parenhima or other changes on the pancreas may look in the form of seals that can be seen on the ultrasound. In addition, they may appear because those cases, if there are stones or there are salts deposition.

To date, such a state may be local or diffuse.

If there is a parenchyma and there is a diffuse state, it may be evidence that a person has the following diseases:

  1. Tumor. The presence of such a tumor will be accompanied by a disorder of the digestive tract, the chair will be too liquid, gases may appear in the intestines.
  2. Parenhima.
  3. Pancreatitis. In this case, the pancreas will be too inflamed, as it will not be enough for the necessary enzymes for its normal operation.

Echogeneity of the liver and pancreas will be increased

During the vehicle as the norm, the echogenicity of the liver and pancreas. These organs are related to each other and any deviations in these bodies will mean that there are problems from which in the future it is necessary to get rid of. Such a survey of parenchyma with ultrasound can be primary, and may be reused after a person passes a number additional analyzes. Repeated examination will allow you to confirm the diagnosed diagnosis.

What should be the treatment with high echogenicity of the pancreas

Uzi pancreatic gland

Once the doctors put the diagnosis, you should not get upset immediately. The fact is that you can get rid of it. It will be easy to do so, as the treatment is to eliminate the disease in the pancreas.
Treatment of pancreas and increased echogenicity, it is best to treat hospital. The fact is that the doctors first remove pain, but only after that begin to treat the gland. For these purposes, they use enzyme preparations that allow us to facilitate the work of the pancreas and lead it to normal.
In addition, in the hospital, doctors will always be able to help if a sharpness will happen or the condition of a person will deteriorate.

Also, the treatment will be in compliance with the diet. This diet will prohibit the use of salted, fatty, acute. In addition, during the treatment period, it is necessary to eliminate the use of alcoholic and carbonated beverages.
In addition, doctors are prescribed to undergo a course of physiotherapy, which helps to take pain during the exacerbation. It is impossible to treat such a disease at home, as it is necessary to control how the pancreas and its condition changes.