There are many tests to diagnose pancreatic problems, most notably blood tests, which can check signs and symptoms, including infection, anemia, low blood counts and dehydration, and a tumor marker called CA 19-9 can be examined if pancreatic cancer is suspected.
According to a webmed report, there are other tests that help diagnose pancreatic problems and they are the secretin stimulation test, a hormone secreted by the small intestine that stimulates the pancreatic secretin to secrete a liquid that neutralizes stomach acid and aids in digestion.
The secretin stimulation test measures the ability of the pancreas to respond to secretions. This test can be done to determine pancreatic activity in people with diseases affecting the pancreas, for example, cystic fibrosis or pancreatic cancer.
During the test, the health-care professional places a tube down the throat, in the stomach, then into the upper part of the small intestine, Secretin is given intravenously and the contents of the duodenal secretions are aspirated and removed by aspiration, and analyzed over a period of about two hours.
Fecal elastase test
The faecal elastase test is another test for pancreatic function, which measures levels of elastase, an enzyme present in the fluids produced by the pancreas, which is responsible for the digestion and breakdown of food and proteins. In this test, the patient's stool sample is analyzed for the presence of elastase.
Computerized tomography (CT) dye
This imaging test can help evaluate the health of the pancreas.Computer tomography can identify complications of pancreatic disease, such as a fluid around the pancreas, a closed infection an abscess, or a collection of tissues, fluid, and pancreatic enzymes (pancreatic pseudocyst).
Abdominal ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound can reveal gallstones that may block fluid flow from the pancreas and may also show an abscess or pseudocyst in the pancreas.
Endoscopic imaging of the pancreas and bile duct
A health care professional places a tube down the throat, in the stomach, and then in the small intestine. A dye is used to help the doctor see the structure of the common bile duct, other bile ducts, and the pancreatic duct on an X-ray. If gallstones block the bile duct, it may also be removed during the endoscopy procedure. .
Endoscopic ultrasound
In this test, a probe connected to a light endoscope is placed down the throat and in the stomach. Sound waves show images of organs in the abdomen. An endoscopic ultrasound may reveal gallstones and can be useful in diagnosing acute pancreatitis. It may also be possible to take a biopsy or biopsy. Pancreas with this type of ultrasound.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas
This type of MRI may be used to look at the bile ducts and the pancreatic duct.
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