Stool Examination · Pathology

Which of the following tests is the most sensitive and specific for detecting fecal fat in a quantitative manner?

  1. Sudan III lipid staining
  2. 72-hour fecal fat collection
  3. Fecal elastase-1 enzyme assay
  4. Stool occult blood testing
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: 72-hour fecal fat collection

A 72-hour fecal fat collection is the gold standard for diagnosing steatorrhea. While less convenient than a spot Sudan stain, it provides a precise measurement of fat excretion per day, allowing for the calculation of the coefficient of fat absorption.

Difficulty: Medium Question 11 of 20

Practice all 20 Stool Examination questions

Keep practicing

More Stool Examination questions