Exocrine pancreatic function in patients with idiopathic necrosis of the femoral head.
Exocrine pancreatic function after secretin and cholecystokinin stimulation was examined in a group of patients with idiopathic necrosis of the femoral head and in a normal control group. The volume output, bicarbonate and amylase concentrations in the patient group were not significantly lower than in the control group. Taken individually, however, 3 out of 8 patients with idiopathic necrosis of the femoral head had abnormal pancreatic function tests. In 4 patients there was a significant alcohol intake, with a history suggestive of acute pancreatitis in 2. This suggests that in some patients chronic pancreatitis may be a factor in the pathogenesis of idiopathic necrosis of the femoral head.
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications