[Acute pancreatitis following gastric secretion analysis by pentagastrin stimulation (author's transl)]

A picture of acute abdomen developed in a 25-year-old patient with recurrent duodenal ulcers after subcutaneous injection of pentagastrin for a gastric secretion test. Laparotomy undertaken for suspected perforated ulcer revealed an acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Healing and freedom from complaint occurred rapidly with drug therapy. The following are to be considered as possible causes for pancreatitis after subcutaneous application of pentagastrin: exacerbation of the ulcer, an acute exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis, a direct effect of pentagastrin on the pancreas, increased pancreatic secretion due to the stimulation of gastric acid, reflux of duodenal contents or bile, arterial hypotension with local acidosis in the pancreas. Attention must always be paid to contra-indications of gastric juice analysis.