Tubeless pancreatic function tests used in combination for screening of pancreatic disease.

The diagnostic efficacy of some tubeless screening tests was examined in chronic pancreatitis patients with different degrees of pancreatic insufficiency. Results of the Pancreolauryl and Lipiodol tests were equal in the same patients. Sensitivity of the Lipiodol test, starch tolerance test and PABA test was 80%, 90% and 57%, respectively. Specificities were 48%, 57% and 100%. Sensitivity increased considerably when two tubeless tests were used in combination: 99% and 90% of patients had at last one abnormal result with starch tolerance + Lipiodol and PABA + Lipiodol tests, respectively. The specificity did not change significantly. Combination of tubeless tests seems to be useful for screening of mild and moderate pancreatic diseases because false negative results of single tests caused possibly by non-parallel enzyme secretion can be avoided.