SERUM AMYLASE AND SERUM LIPASE IN MUMPS

Abstract

224 patients with mumps were studied. 87% were 17 through 23 yrs. of age: 14% were 24 through 39 yrs. of age. 68 patients developed orchitis and epidydi-mitis. 684 serum amylase detns. were done. An initial study was made within 24 hrs. of admission; subsequent studies were made at approx. weekly intervals. 84% of all patients showed an elevated amylase in the first wk. of disease and 96% showed elevations sometime during the first 2 wks. of disease. Serum amylase values fell from wk. to wk. so that by the 4 wks. only 28% showed elevations. 671 serum lipase detns. were done in a similar chronologic fashion. 90% of these were normal. 12% were slightly elevated. No case of clinical pancreatitis was observed in the 224 patients. Elevated serum lipase is thought to be a specific manifestation of acute pancreatitis. Since the vast majority of lipase detns. were normal and the remainder only slightly elevated, it was concluded that pancreatitis is not common subclinically and that serum amylase elevations were extra-pancreatic in origin. The appearance of orchitis and epididymitis did not affect serum amylase. In the diagnosis of orchitis and epididymitis due to parotitis which was present but not observed, the value of serum amylase would depend upon how soon the detn. was made after the occurrence of the missed parotitis. In true primary orchitis and epididymitis of mumps, unassociated with parotitis, normal serum amylase values are to be anticipated.