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Pancreatic function tests: When to choose, what to use

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Abstract

Although techniques for high-resolution imaging of the pancreas are constantly being improved, the evaluation of pancreatic function remains crucial for the workup of pancreatic diseases. More than 20 direct and indirect tests are available for the assessment of pancreatic function. Measurement of fecal elastase-1 is recommended as the most suitable test for the initial assessment of pancreatic function. Among other techniques, the pancreolauryl test, and alternatively the BT-PABA (N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-paminobenzoic acid) or the 13C-mixed-triglyceride test, yield the best sensitivity and specificity. Nevertheless, all indirect tests are of limited value in patients with mild to moderate impairment of pancreatic function. In these patients, the secretin-caerulein test remains the gold standard.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Ulm, Robert-Koch-Str. 8, D-89081, Ulm, Germany

    Wolfgang G. Boeck MD, Guido Adler MD & Thomas M. Gress MD

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  1. Wolfgang G. Boeck MD
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  2. Guido Adler MD
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Boeck, W.G., Guido, A. & Gress, T.M. Pancreatic function tests: When to choose, what to use. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 3, 95–100 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-001-0004-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-001-0004-9

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