Our group utilizes high resolution ultrasound in order to detect, monitor, and quantify pancreatic tumors in mice. Using the upgraded VisualSonical Vevo 3100 high resolution ultrasound instrument, we can detect nascent tumors and premalignant lesions as small as half a millimeter in diameter.
On the left is an ultrasound image of the head of the pancreas of a mouse with a 4mm diameter tumor. On the right is a color-coded map of the anatomical features in this image. Key: white= skin; green= proximal duodenum; yellow- liver; red= large blood vessels; light blue= normal pancreas; dark blue= pancreatic tumor.