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HelpTest Code AMBF Amylase, Body Fluid
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
Body FluidOrdering Guidance
For pancreatic cyst fluid specimens, order AMLPC / Amylase, Pancreatic Cyst Fluid. Testing will be changed to AMLPC if this test is ordered on that specimen type.
Necessary Information
1. Date and time of collection are required.
2. Specimen source is required.
Specimen Required
Specimen Type: Body fluid
Preferred Source:
-Peritoneal fluid (peritoneal, abdominal, ascites, paracentesis)
-Pleural fluid (pleural, chest, thoracentesis)
-Drain fluid (drainage, Jackson Pratt [JP] drain)
-Pericardial fluid
Acceptable Source: Write in source name with source location (if appropriate)
Collection Container/Tube: Sterile container
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Centrifuge to remove any cellular material and transfer into a plastic vial.
2. Indicate the specimen source and source location on label.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Body Fluid | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Frozen | 30 days | |
| Ambient | 24 hours |
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
CPT Code Information
82150
Clinical Information
Pleural fluid:
Amylase-rich pleural effusions are commonly associated with pancreatitis, esophageal rupture, malignancy, pneumonia, and liver cirrhosis.(1) Pleural fluid amylase measurement is not routinely indicated though may help to narrow the differential due to these causes. Results should be interpreted in conjunction with serum measurement usually as a ratio of pleural fluid to serum amylase. The ratio of pleural fluid to serum amylase in effusions caused by pancreatic disease is much higher (mean + or - SD = 18 + or - 6.3) versus non-pancreatic disease (4.8 + or - 1.3) (P = 0.003).(2) Isoform analysis revealed that pancreatic amylase is diagnostic of pancreatitis-related pleural effusions, whereas salivary amylase isoforms are more often associated with esophageal rupture and malignancy.(3)
Peritoneal fluid:
The digestive enzymes amylase and lipase can be measured in the identification of pancreatic fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Concentrations are expected to be elevated and at least several-fold times higher in fluid of pancreatic origin compared to simultaneous concentrations in serum.(4) In contrast, amylase concentration in ascites of non-pancreatic origin was approximately half the plasma value.(5)
Drain fluid:
Amylase might be measured in a drain fluid to aid in the identification of internal pancreatic fistulas due to chronic pancreatitis or formation of a fistula after surgery.(6,7) Comparison to serum concentrations is recommended with elevations several-fold higher than blood being suggestive of the presence of pancreatic fluid in the drained cavity.
Report Available
Same day/1 to 2 daysReject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
| Anticoagulant or additive, breast milk, nasal secretions, gastric secretions, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL or bronchial washings), feces, colostomy/ ostomy, saliva, sputum, urine, vitreous fluid, or pancreatic cyst | Reject |
Method Name
Enzymatic Colorimetric
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Gastroenterology and Hepatology Test Request (T728) with the specimen.