[Gastrointestinal hormones--clinical significance].

The author gives an account of clinical syndromes which develop as a result of overproduction of gastrointestinal hormones. From the various diagnostic approaches, which are not always available or are expensive, the author summarizes the importance of thin-needle biopsy under sonographic control, the argentaffine technique (Grimelius) and histoenzymatic examination for neuron specific enolase. In addition to surgical treatment treatment with streptozotocine, 5-FU, dimethyl triazenoimidazole carboxamide and somatostatin is possible. The author draws attention to the possibility of using somatostatin not only in the treatment of apudomas but also of haemorrhage into the gastrointestinal tract and in the treatment of fistulae. Neuroendocrine factors probably play a significant role in the pathophysiology of irritable colon, Crohn's disease, achalasia and Hirschsprung's disease.