Chronic hyperamylasemia and chronic pelvic inflammatory disease

A 54-year-old woman with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease and pyelonephritis developed persistent hyperamylasemia with transient increases in the amylase-creatinine clearance ratio. Even though chronic pancreatitis was suspected clinically, at postmortem examination the pancreas was found to be normal. We suggest that the hyperamylasemia resulted from entry into the circulation of amylase produced within sequestered endosalpingeal epithelial cysts, possibly amplified by impaired renal clearance. Thus, the potential of the serum amylase assay as a sign of serous ovarian tumors is further indicated.