Further Studies of Parotid Saliva Test as a Diagnostic Means for Pancreatic Disorders

The parotid saliva test was made on 89 subjects in total, consisting of 54 patients with non-pancreatic disorders, 27 with pancreatic disorders, and 8 remote postoperative cases of pancreatolithiasis, and the following results were obtained: 1) The salivary output as well as the maximum bicarbonate concentration and amylase content in the parotid saliva of patients with pancreatic disorders were significantly less than those of patients with non-pancreatic disorders. 2) Three of the 8 remote postoperative cases of pancreatolithiasis and a case with cancer of the head of the pancreas showed abnormally high salivary output and amylase con-tent. 3) The positive saliva test was found in 85% of patients with pancreatic disorders. 4) Histological changes of the parotid glands were atrophic and degenerative in patients with hypofunction on the saliva test, and hypertrophic in patients with hyperfunction on the saliva test.