Fluctuations in serum amylase in patients with macroamylasemia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To report wide fluctuation of serum amylase in patients with macroamylasemia. It has generally been considered to remain constant.

METHODS:

Over the past 16 y, 18 patients have been diagnosed with macroamylasemia in our GI department. Of these, four patients were followed up with serial serum amylase determinations for a period of less than 1-4 y. Serum amylase was measured by the "Phadebas amylase test." Serum macroamylase was measured by "PEG precipitation technique."

RESULTS:

There was a wide fluctuation of serum amylase in three out of four patients. In the fourth patient, more persistent hyperamylasemia was noted during the shorter observation period.

CONCLUSION:

Marked fluctuation in serum amylase, ranging from 115 to 1160% in this study, may occur in patients with macroamylasemia. The reasons for these fluctuations are not clear but may be due to association-dissociation of amylase with serum proteins at variable time intervals. This fluctuation, especially when the amylase becomes normal (as in cases 1 and 3), may lead to confusion in differentiating macroamylasemia from other causes of hyperamylasemia.

• Authors: C K Sachdeva, S Bank, R Greenberg, M Blumstein, S Weissman
• Journal: The American journal of gastroenterology (Am J Gastroenterol) Vol. 90 Issue 5 Pg. 800-3 (May 1995) ISSN: 0002-9270 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7537446 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Amylases

Topics

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (enzymology)
• Adult
• Aged
• Amylases (blood)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoproliferative Small Intestinal Disease (enzymology)
• Lymphoma (enzymology)
• Male
• Middle Aged