Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Differential Diagnoses

Updated: May 23, 2023
  • Author: Samer Al-Kaade, MD; Chief Editor: Romesh Khardori, MD, PhD, FACP  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

The diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is largely clinical. [5] This condition may go undetected, both because the signs and symptoms are similar to those of other mucosal and luminal gastrointestinal (GI) diseases that may interfere with fat digestion and absorption [6] and because the signs and symptoms of EPI in some cases may be obscured by dietary restrictions.

It is important to keep in mind that EPI can also result from nonpancreatic diseases, mainly in patients with normal pancreatic structure as revealed by advanced abdominal imaging modalities (eg, MRI, endoscopic ultrasonography [EUS], and CT scanning).

Differential Diagnoses