The classic sono graphic findings in acute pancreatitis should involve diff use enlargement of the gland w ith a generalized decrease in its echoge nicity. Hypoecho ic focal enlargement of the pancreas is a lso possible in acute inf lammation; this is generally conf ined to the head, and focal enlargement conf ined to the tail would be unusual in pancreatitis and much more worrisome for neoplasm(6)( Figures 7, 8). It is also not uncommon to detect dilata tion of the pancreatic duct to greater than 2 mm internal diameter in patients with acute pancreatitis; the duct will most of ten return to normal as the inf lammation regresses(7) Figure-7a Transverse view of a dif fusely enlarged pancreas(open arrows) whose echogen icity is considerably less than that of the liver(L). The pancreatic duct is dilated (large arrow). Curved arrow posterior wall of stomach; a aorta: v= inferior vena cava: s= splenic vein Figure -7b Sagittal view of the same enlarged pancreas (open arrows) shown in Figure 7a. L liver: st stomach; large arrow dilated pancreatic duct Figure -8a Focal hy poechoic enlargement of the head of the pancreas(arrows) may produce a sonographic appearance indistinguishable from carcinoma. Arrow head dilated pancreatic duct; L= liver; a= aorta y= inferior vena cava Figure -8b blique view again demonstrates focal enlargement of the head (arrows)with consequent dilatation of the common bile duct(open arrows).K= upper pole of right kidney a=aorta kThe classic sonographic findings in acute pancreatitis should involve diffuse enlargement of the gland with a generalized decrease in its echogenicity. Hypoechoic focal enlargement of the pancreas is also possible in acute inflammation; this is generally confined to the head, and focal enlargement confined to the tail would be unusual in pancreatitis and much more worrisome for neoplasm (6) (Figures 7, 8) . It is also not uncommon to detect dilatation of the pancreatic duct to greater than 2 mm internal diameter in patients with acute pancreatitis; the duct will most of ten return to normal as the inflammation regresses (7) . Figure - 7a. Transverse view of a dif fusely enlarged pancreas (open arrows) whose echogenicity is considerably less than that of the liver(L). The pancreatic duct is dilated (large arrow). Curved arrow = posterior wall of stomach; a = aorta; v = inferior vena cava; s = splenic vein. Figure - 7b. Sagittal view of the same enlarged pancreas (open arrows) shown in Figure 7a. L = liver; st = stomach; large arrow = dilated pancreatic duct. Figure - 8a. Focal hypoechoic enlargement of the head of the pancreas (arrows) may produce a sonographic appearance indistinguishable f rom carcinoma. Arrowhead = dilated pancreatic duct; L = liver; a = aorta, v = inferior vena cava. Figure - 8b. Oblique view again demonstrates focal enlargement of the head (arrows) with consequent dilatation of the common bile duct (open arrows). K = upper pole of right kidney; a = aorta