Reference Range

See interpretive data

Pleural fluid amylase activity may be increased in a variety of conditions, including acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst, esophageal rupture, and both primary and metastatic carcinoma.  Amylase levels are considered elevated when they exceed the upper serum reference value or are significantly higher (usually 1.5 or 2.0 times or more) than those of a simultaneously analyzed serum specimen.