Clinical evaluation of the 14C-Triolein Breath Test: a critical analysis.

Twenty-two hospital patients without gastrointestinal symptoms and fourteen patients with clinically suspected fat malabsorption were studied using the 14C-Triolein Breath Test and three day fecal fat estimation. The 14C-Triolein Breath Test was 100% sensitive and 86% specific for fat malabsorption. Three day fecal fat estimations were 86% sensitive and 91% specific. These data confirm the high sensitivity and specificity obtained using the 14C-Triolein Breath Test. The speed and convenience of the 14C-Triolein Breath Test plus acceptable sensitivity and specificity make this a practical screening test to detect fat malabsorption.