Imaging of the pancreas with secretin enhancement.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is a noninvasive imaging technique for evaluation of the pancreatic duct and the biliary tree. Secretin is a polypeptide hormone that has numerous physiological effects, including stimulation of the pancreatic secretion of bicarbonate-rich fluid and transient increase in the tone in the sphincter of Oddi. As a result, secretin administration usually results in distention of the pancreatic duct; therefore, visualization of the pancreatic ductal anatomy is often substantially improved. Awareness of its value by referring clinicians and radiologists will increase its use in the future.