Evocative test of serum pancreatic enzymes to bombesin in chronic pancreatitis.

: The levels of serum immunoreactive trypsinogen and P-isoamylase in response to Bombesin intravenous infusion were evaluated in 25 controls, 18 patients with documented chronic pancreatitis, and nine subjects with nonpancreatic gastroenterological diseases. Mean immunoreactive trypsinogen peak values were significantly higher in controls and gastroenterological diseases than in chronic pancreatitis, but there was marked overlap in individual values between the three groups. As for P-isoamylase, a statistical difference was detected only between mean peak concentrations of control versus chronic pancreatitis. Integrated responses for both enzymes did not result in a better discrimination between controls, chronic pancreatitis, and gastroenterological diseases. This study confirms that evocative tests are of limited value in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease.