Pigs are large animal models for research of several human diseases. In both species the pancreas is almost retroperitoneal, and the pancreatic body wraps the portal vein. Also, the firmness of the pig pancreatic parenchyma is similar to the gland in humans.

Investigation of diabetes needs animal models for the development of effective treatments, as islet transplantation or genetic engineering. It is likely that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will become fundamental for experimental studies of the pancreatic disease, and to monitoring the distribution of cells used in cell therapy procedures.

Until now, correspondent anatomical and MRI studies have not been carried out in the pig. This work was aimed at documenting the normal sectional anatomy of the pig pancreatic region by MRI and plastinated anatomic sections.

METHODS

4 juvenile pigs (25kgr) were examined by MRI and then euthanized according to human procedure. Thin transversal cryosections (2-3mm) containing the pancreas were plastinated by the E12 method (Biodur®).

RESULTS

Good correspondence of anatomical details was found between plastinated and MRI images. MRI allowed the identification of the body, the right and left lobes, as well as the relationship of the pancreas with other organs, such as spleen, kidneys, stomach, caudal cava and portal veins.

CONCLUSIONS

Information provided in this paper should aid clinicians in the interpretation and following diagnosis of the specific portions of the porcine pancreas by MRI images. (Sponsored by Grant PI070712 from I. S. Carlos III, and BIO-MED 07/08-0019 from CARM)