[Enzymatic profile of hepatic and biliary diseases (author's transl)]

Measuring the activity of certain serum enzymes is of considerable interest in the diagnosis of hepatic or biliary diseases, even in the absence of jaundice. The battery of tests required is at present limited to transaminases for cytolysis, alkaline phosphatase for cholestasis, and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase for chronic alcoholism, carcinoma of the liver and obstruction of the common bile duct. The enzymatic profile thus obtained complements the clinical findings and often provides decisive arguments in favour of a diagnosis, thereby avoiding invasive radiological and instrumental explorations.