Usefulness of non-contrast MR imaging in distinguishing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from focal pancreatitis.

•Non-contrast MRI was better than MDCT in differentiating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from focal pancreatitis.•Non-contrast MRI was comparable to whole MRI in differentiating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from focal pancreatitis.•Presence of peritumoural cyst showed the highest odds ratio for predicting pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.•The tiny peritumoural cysts on T2WI were observed in 84.5% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.