How does the pancreas appear in an ultrasound image?

The pancreas appears as an oblong-shaped structure that extends across the midline when imaged with ultrasound, according to AuntMinnie.com. The color of the tissue structure varies from dark gray to bright white; however, pancreatic malignancies generally appear as darkened areas in the structure.

Ultrasound images of the pancreas are difficult to obtain in obese patients, as the color of the structure becomes equal to the color of fat tissue, notes AuntMinnie.com.

Increased water intake improves the visualization of the pancreas, states Ulrasoundpeaedia. For best results, patients should drink two to three glasses of water and remain in an upright position for the scan.