The American journal of gastroenterology
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Feb 1999
ReviewAmylase normal, lipase elevated: is it pancreatitis? A case series and review of the literature.
This study was undertaken to identify clinical scenarios in which the lipase is significantly elevated (three times above the upper limit of normal) but the amylase is normal, and to examine whether or not pancreatitis is the likely cause for this seemingly unusual constellation of laboratory results. ⋯ 1. An elevated lipase should not be equated with evidence for pancreatitis if the amylase is normal. 2. A simultaneous determination of both amylase and lipase is recommended for the evaluation of patients with abdominal pain.
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Feb 1999
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialThe impact of delaying gastric emptying by either meal substrate or drug on the [13C]-urea breath test.
Optimal [13C]-urea breath test (UBT) conditions for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection are still being fine-tuned. In the present study we investigated the impact of delaying gastric emptying by different meal substrates or L-DOPA, a drug known to induce gastric stasis, on the performance of the [13C]-UBT. ⋯ The performance of the [13C]-urea with a formula meal may not be improved by pharmacologically delaying gastric emptying. A short, water-based test may be a sensible approach to worldwide standardization of the [13C]-UBT for H. pylori infection.