A cause of misleading serum amylase concentrations in acute pancreatitis.
The operative discovery of acute pancreatitis associated with gross hyperlipidaemia but a normal or high elevated serum amylase concentration has been described. We report a case of acute pancreatitis in which serial dilutions of serum resulted in a 338% rise in the serum amylase concentrations. The importance of appreciating this effect of hyperlipidaemia on the serum level measurements in patients with acute pancreatitis is re-emphasised.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000201:enzymology*
D004573:Electrolytes; D008055:Lipids; D000681:Amylases