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Clinical Investigations in Gastroenterology pp 129–156Cite as

Pancreas

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Abstract

The investigation for pancreatic disease remains problematical and unsatisfactory despite the introduction of a host of techniques. The use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), ultrasonography or computerized tomography to define the anatomy of the gland, coupled with one of the tests of exocrine secretion is probably the most satisfactory method of assessment. Estimation of steatorrhoea, glucose tolerance and serum amylase can provide valuable additional information. These tests are required to decide whether pancreatic disease is present, and if so to determine its nature. The differentiation of chronic pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer is an important though often unresolved question. The laboratory diagnosis of pancreatic disease can be quite simple in the presence of jaundice, glycosuria or steatorrhoea; it is when the only symptom is abdominal pain that the diagnosis frequently proves extremely difficult.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastroenterology General Hospital, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, UK

    M. C. Bateson (Consultant Physician and Specialist)

  2. University of Edinburgh, UK

    I. A. Bouchier (Professor of Medicine)

Authors
  1. M. C. Bateson
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  2. I. A. Bouchier
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© 1988 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Bateson, M.C., Bouchier, I.A. (1988). Pancreas. In: Clinical Investigations in Gastroenterology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2633-2_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2633-2_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7688-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2633-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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