CT Findings of Normal Pancreatic Tail: Variety of Morphology and Location

PURPOSE: To determine the morphology and location of normal pancreatic tail, as seen on abdominal CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hundred and one patients without pancreatic disease underwent CT scanning. We thendetermined how to relate the location of the pancreatic tail with the splenic hilum, left kidney, and pancreaticbody. We compared the thickness of the tail with that of the body and analysed of the morphology of the tail. RESULTS: Seventy-seven percent of all pancreatic tails were located below the splenic hilum, with 59% of thisproportion located located 1 to 2 cm below. Fifty percent of tails were located at the level of the uppermostquarter of the left kidney, and a further 27% at the level of the second quarter ; 75% were located in theventrolateral portion of this kidney and 23% in the ventral portion. In 48% of patients, the pancreatic tail andbody were the same thickness, and in a further 48%, the tail was thicker than the body. In 34% of patients, thetail showed focal bulging, and in another 32%, it tapered smoothly. Forty seven percent of tails were locatedbelow the pancreatic body and a further 37% were found at the same level as the body. CONCLUSION: Abdominal CTscans showed differing morphology and location of the pancreatic tail. The recognition of these variations willdiminish speculation as to their true nature.