title: Laboratory aids in the diagnosis of pancreatitis.
abstract: The diagnosis of both acute and chronic pancreatitis continues to be a challenge despite the development of new techniques and the refinement of old methods. The problem is best approached by the application of a combination of tests which can provide a reasonable degree of sensitivity and specificity applicable to the different forms of pancreatitis. In acute pancreatitis an elevation of serum amylase and amylase/creatinine clearance ratio is diagnostically useful. In chronic pancreatitis, several tests are needed to enhance the diagnostic yield, and such tests can include the secretin-pancreozymin test, ERCP, fecal fat measurement, Lundh test meal, and the administration of the synthetic peptide BZ-Ty-PABA.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D002766:Cholecystokinin; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010189:Pancreatic Juice / Q000378:metabolism; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010455:Peptides; D011859:Radiography; D012633:Secretin
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D012633:Secretin; D002766:Cholecystokinin; D003404:Creatinine; D000681:Amylases