Anatomical observation of adult cadavers comparing with CT images about peri-pancreatic fascia and fascial space

Abstract

Abstract Objective To compare the anatomical relationship between the peri-pancreatic fascia and fascia space on the abdominal CT images and those observed in adult embalmed cadaver specimens. Materials and methods A total of 556 patients clinically diagnosed with acute pancreatitis were recruited, and the imaging characteristics of peri-pancreatic structures on the abdominal CT scans were summarized. Ten embalmed adult cadaver specimens were selected for abdominal dissection to clarify the corresponding relationship between the peri-pancreatic fascia and fascia space on abdominal CT images and cadaver specimens. Results The anterior pancreatic fascia, posterior pancreatic fascia and anterior renal fascia could be observed simultaneously on the abdominal CT images of patients with acute pancreatitis and embalmed adult cadaver specimens. Bilateral anterior renal fascia was continuously connected. The pancreatic fascial space located in front of the pancreatic parenchyma was known as the anterior pancreatic space, and the pancreatic fascial space located behind the pancreatic parenchyma was considered as the posterior pancreatic space. The fusion fascial space existed between the posterior pancreatic fascia and the anterior renal fascia. Conclusion The peri-pancreatic fascia and fascial space can be observed on the abdominal CT mages of a minority of patients (4 percent) with acute pancreatitis, which correspond with anatomical relationship of embalmed adult cadaver specimens.

Keywords

• Peri-pancreatic fascia
• Fascial space
• CT
• Anatomy