Prospective comparison of the fluorescein-dilaurate test with the secretin-cholecystokinin test for pancreatic exocrine function.

In a prospective study of 60 patients undergoing investigation for possible exocrine pancreatic disease the fluorescein-dilaurate test was compared with the secretin-cholecystokinin (CCK) test. Forty one patients had a normal response to secretin-CCK, 14 patients had abnormal responses and in five patients the results were equivocal. Taking the secretin-CCK test as the diagnostic criterion, the fluorescein-dilaurate test had a sensitivity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 100%. There was a 54% false-positive rate. The fluorescein-dilaurate test is easy to perform and is a useful screening test for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.