Pleural effusion: elevated fluid amylase levels were rare

Clinical bottom line (level 4)

  1. An elevated fluid amylase was rare in patients with pleural effusions undergoing thoracentesis.
Branca et al: Archives of Internal Medicine 2001; 161 : 228-232
Expires October 2004

The study

Setting: acute hospital, USA

379 patients (aged , % male) undergoing thoracentesis for pleural effusions (53% following cardiac surgery)

Excluded if
  • technical reasons prevented amylase measurement


    ?independent ?blinded reference standard, applied in all patients from a consecutive inappropriate spectrum.
    Reference standard:
    • final diagnosis
    Diagnostic test: fluid amylase

    The evidence

    • Patients with amylase level > 110 U/L: 1.3% (95% CI: 0.17% to 2.5%)
    • 1 patient had heart failure; 2 had post-cardiac surgery effusions; 1 had lung cancer; 1 had pneumonia

    Citation

    1. Branca P, Rodriguez M, Rogers JT, et al: routine measurement of pleural fluid amylase is not indicated. Archives of Internal Medicine 2001; 161 : 228-232
    Search Terms: ?
    Contributor: Chris Ball, October 2001
    Reviewer:

    Clinical Question.
    Patient pleural effusion
    Intervention or Exposure fluid amylase
    Outcome pancreatitis, oesophageal rupture
    		•