Imaging Islet Cell Tumours

A McLean

Hong Kong J Radiol 2004;7:61-5

Islet cell tumours are rare lesions. The majority (85%) are functioning hormone-producing tumours, insulinomas and gastrinomas being the most common. Approximately 15% of islet cell tumours are non-functioning. These are usually larger lesions, often presenting at an advanced stage as a pancreatic mass or with metastatic disease. This review will focus on the role of endoscopic ultrasound in the detection of pancreatic islet cell tumours and its complementary role to computed tomography and other imaging techniques. The potential for endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy will also be discussed.