[Diagnosis of pancreatic function by the selenomethionine--75Se test]

Dterminations of 75selenium radioactivity and pancreatic enzyme in duodenal aspirate were carried out in 50 patients after i. v. injection of selenomethionine-75Se. After standardized excitation of the pancreas with pancreozymin-secretin, a significant correlation (r = 0.654) between excreted 75Se radioactivity and trypsin production could be established. The test is suitable for the recording of exocrine pancreas function while avoiding expensive enzymatic methods. The combined use of pancreas scintigraphy--using the double radionuclide substraction technique-with the radioselenomethionine test (RSMT) provides comprehensive diagnostic information on the morphology and function of the pancreas.