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Hyperamylasemia in critically injured patients
The Journal of Trauma
|November 1, 1980
Summary
Traumatic shock often causes high amylase levels, typically from salivary glands, not the pancreas. This suggests increased salivary gland membrane permeability is the likely cause of traumatic hyperamylasemia.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Trauma Medicine
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Hyperamylasemia is frequently observed in patients experiencing traumatic shock.
- The precise origin of elevated amylase in trauma without pancreatic injury remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and origin of hyperamylasemia in patients with traumatic shock but no pancreatic injury.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanism of traumatic hyperamylasemia.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of serum amylase levels in traumatic shock patients.
- Isoenzyme studies to differentiate amylase types (salivary vs. pancreatic).
Main Results:
- Hyperamylasemia was detected in 80% (49 of 61) of patients without pancreatic injury.
- Salivary-type hyperamylasemia was identified in 94% (18 of 19) of tested patients.
- The salivary gland was identified as the primary source of elevated amylase.
Conclusions:
- Traumatic hyperamylasemia in the absence of pancreatic injury predominantly originates from the salivary glands.
- Increased cell membrane permeability of salivary glands is proposed as the mechanism for this phenomenon.