[Diagnostic value of the NBT-PABA test in the functional evaluation of the exocrine pancreas].

N benzoyl-L-tyrosil PABA was orally administered to 13 controls and 35 patients with pancreatic disease: 7 with chronic exocrine pancreatic disease, 7 patients after an attack of acute pancreatitis, 3 with carcinoma of the pancreas, 8 with biliary tract disease and 10 with diabetes. The amount of PABA excreted serves as parameter exocrine pancreatic function. PABA excretion in patients with chronic pancreatitis (p < 0.01) and diabetes (p < 0.05) was significantly less then in controls. The present data justify further investigation of this procedure as a possible new oral test of exocrine pancreatic function.