Question

A 54-year-old man presents with sudden onset epigastric pain radiating to the back, nausea and vomiting. Serum lipase is 1200 U/L (reference <60). Ultrasound shows gallstones but no bile duct dilatation. According to usual diagnostic criteria, how should his lipase result be interpreted?

Accepted Answer

The lipase level confirms acute pancreatitis when combined with typical pain

Answer

The lipase level is non-diagnostic because it is less than 3 times the upper limit of normal

Answer

The lipase level excludes pancreatitis because it is not accompanied by amylase elevation

Answer

Lipase levels cannot be used to diagnose pancreatitis in gallstone disease

Answer

Lipase must be above 10 000 U/L to diagnose pancreatitis

Practice question

A 54-year-old man presents with sudden onset epigastric pain radiating to the back, nausea and vomiting. Serum lipase is 1200 U/L (reference <60). Ultrasound shows gallstones but no bile duct dilatation. According to usual diagnostic criteria, how should his lipase result be interpreted?