Chronic diarrhea--value of function tests in diagnosis
Offensperger, W.B.
Praxis 89(41): 1647-1650
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 1661-8157 PMID: 11081366 Document Number: 517957
The D-xylose-adsorption test yields information about small intestinal absorptive function. To investigate ileal absorptive function the Schilling test is performed. The standard diagnostic test for hypolactasia is the oral lactose tolerance test with lactose breath hydrogen testing. Various radioactive and nonradioactive breath tests have been proposed as noninvasive tests for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Intubation tests for pancreatic function testing are time-honored and direct, but limited by several technical difficulties. Measurement of pancreatic enzymes in stool has received a high degree of acceptance.