[Lipase/amylase ratio in biliary acute pancreatitis and alcoholic acute/acutized chronic pancreatitis].

Background: Alcoholic or biliary acute pancreatitis may need different therapeutic approaches.

Aim: Assessing the validity of lipase/amylase ratio in differentiating biliary from alcoholic acute pancreatitis/acutized chronic pancreatitis.

Methods: Nine male patients (mean age and standard deviation: 39.

[Validity of serum amylase and lipase in the differential diagnosis between acute/acutized chronic pancreatitis and other causes of acute abdominal pain].

Background: Raised serum amylase and lipase levels are observed in several abdominal diseases.

Aim: Assessing the validity of serum amylase and lipase for the differential diagnosis between acute pancreatitis/acutized chronic pancreatitis, biliary tract disease, perforated gastroduodenal ulcer and acute appendicitis. PATIENTS E METHODS: Prospective study including 134 individuals: 38 with acute pancreatitis/acutized chronic pancreatitis, 35 with biliary tract disease, 17 with perforated gastroduodenal ulcer and 44 with acute appendicitis, mean age (standard deviation) of 42.