Study of pancreatic functions and ultrasonography in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

Thirty insulin-dependent diabetic patients and 20 normal control subjects of the same age and sex group were investigated to study some pancreatic functions and to assess the ultrasonographic picture of the pancreas and surrounding blood vessels .Statistical analysis of the results revealed that Serum amylase, lipase and insulin values were significantly reduced, while, on the other hand, serum glucagon value was significantly elevated. Pancreatic sonography revealed an increase of its echogenicity, most probably due to fibrosis, with a significant reduction of its size that was positively correlated with insulin value but not with glucagon or enzyme values. There was a significant increase in portal vein diameter that showed positive correlation with blood sugar level indicating susceptibility of insulin-dependent diabetic patients to portal hypertension