Amylase, other body fluids
Amylase, other body fluids-13370
Pancreatitis with or without pseudocyst formation or pancreatic pleural fistula is the most common cause of amylase elevation in pleural fluid. Rupture of the esophagus is the second most common group and malignant effusion is the third. Other causes include pancreatic ascites and pancreatic duct trauma. Defect in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract (eg, perforated peptic ulcer) will allow pancreatic secretion to enter the peritoneal cavity. Similarly, peritoneal fluid amylase elevations may be found in the presence of necrotic bowel. Peritoneal fluid, containing such amylase, can find its way into a pleural space.
Sterile container
Transfer aspirated fluid to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp) as soon as possible after collection.
- Source of fluid (eg, synovial, cyst)
Ambient (preferred) - 14 days
Refrigerated - 14 days
Frozen - 14 days
Freeze/thaw cycles - stable x 3
Enzymatic
Lymph: 50 - 83
Synovial: not established
Most patients with pancreatic ascites have high peritoneal fluid amylase as well as amylase elevations in serum and urine. Pancreatitis may present with pleural effusion. Of 34 patients who had high amylase in pleural fluid associated with neoplasms, 18 had carcinoma of lung. Other tumors were gynecologic, gastrointestinal, lymphoma, breast and malignancy of unknown origin.