Management of Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency

A 56-year-old obese Caucasian woman named M.B. reported experiencing anorexia and early satiety in the prior two months. She has lost 10 pounds in two weeks. No changes had been made to her type 2 diabetes medications, she took no other medications, and her exercise habits were unchanged. M.B. made an appointment with her primary care physician (PCP) and her physical examination was inconclusive. The complete blood count and chemistry panel were normal; however, a computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed a 3 cm abnormality in her pancreas with a question of involvement of her superior mesenteric artery. Her PCP suggested that she see a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy.