SERUM CHOLINESTERASE IN HEPATIC AND NEOPLASTIC DISEASES: A PRELIMINARY REPORT

Abstract

A practical colori-metric method for cholinesterase activity was adapted for clinical use. Enzyme values were determined in the sera of 110 normal and in 57 patients with liver disease of multiple etiology. Of the latter group 20 were presumably due to metastatic malignant disease, and 13 were patients with lymphoma. Low enzyme levels were present in instances of acute parenchy-matous liver disease, metastatic carcinoma and lymphoma complicated by spread to the liver, and varying levels in chronic liver disease.