Clinical trial of four pancreatic scanning agents

Four 75Se-labelled amino acids have been tested in 22 patients. In 11 of the patients pancreatic function was estimated by the Lundh test. Scans at varying time intervals up to 30 hours from isotope administration were assessed by blind marking. Pancreatic visualization with all four agents was markedly poorer than would have been expected with 75Se-selenomethionine. Whole-body retention was estimated for all four agents; two showed faster 75Se clearance than selenomethionine. Radioactivity in duodenal aspirate was measured for two of the agents.