[Serum macroamylase in a subject with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

Rev Invest Clin. 1990 Oct-Dec;42(4):285-9.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Macroamylasemia (MA) is a rare condition characterized by an active macromolecular complex formed by normal amylase with abnormal proteins; to our knowledge, it has not been previously described in Mexico. The size of the macromolecular complex precludes its renal excretion; thus MA is characterized by high levels of amylase in serum with normal amylasuria. We report a 53-year-old male with abdominal pain and hyperamylasemia who was erroneously diagnosed as pancreatitis. Amylase in urine was normal and a protein electrophoresis demonstrated hyperglobulinemia. Several months after the initial work-up, the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was established. Serum pancreatic amylase was again found elevated with normal urinary amylase. Precipitation of amylase with polyethylene-glycol was of 81% (normal: less than 70%). This established the diagnosis of MA associated to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. After chemotherapy, the abnormal macroamylasemia and hyperglobulinemia disappeared.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism / complications
  • Amylases / blood*
  • Chemical Precipitation
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / blood
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Proteins / blood*
  • Pancreatitis / diagnosis
  • Polyethylene Glycols

Substances

  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Amylases