The Pancreas: A Correlation of Function and Structure

Fify‐two patients with or without pancreatic disease were studied with both secretin test and endoscopic retrograde panereatography. Pancreatic histopathology was obtained by exploratory laparotomy in half of these patients. The following conclusions were reached: 1. Secretory tests ae the most sensitive indicators of chronic paneratitis, although not all cases of chronic pancreatitis will be discovered by this test. 2. When secretory tests show low volume output, paneratography is crucial in diffeentiating between malignant ductal obstruction or pancreatic replacement y fibrosis or atrophy. 3. Histologic correlation with ductular structure and or secretin function is frequently discordant. 4. The secretin test and pancreatogram measure different parameters and the use of both these complementary studies will lead to increased diagnostic accuracy and better understanding of pancreatic pathophysiology.