Exocrine Pancreatic Function Tests: A Review
Exocrine pancreatic function tests (PFTs) remain of value in the diagnosis and assessment of chronic pancreatic disease. Direct intubation PFTs, using secretin/cholecystokinin or secretin/caerulein as the stimulants, continue to the the 'gold standard', although they are invasive, expensiv...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
1989-01-01
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| Series: | Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/1989/412302 |
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| Summary: | Exocrine pancreatic function tests (PFTs) remain of value in the
diagnosis and assessment of chronic pancreatic disease. Direct intubation PFTs,
using secretin/cholecystokinin or secretin/caerulein as the stimulants, continue
to the the 'gold standard', although they are invasive, expensive and time
consuming. Tubeless indirect tests, ie, the N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-para-aminobe-zoic acid
and pancreolauryl tests, have gained increasing acceptance particularly
as screening tests. The fecal measurement of chymotrypsin remains a useful
screening test for pancreatic insufficiency and fecal fat testing standard for
steatorrhea. Radioisotope tests are now outdated. Estimation of pancreatic
markers in serum, urine and body fluids are useful when abnormal hut miss mild
disease. Combining PFTs with imaging techniques provides a rational approach
to early diagnosis and gives a better assessment of the patient with chronic
pancreatic disease. |
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| ISSN: | 0835-7900 |