A rare convergence: Gangrenous bowel secondary to closed-loop obstruction with elevated urine amylase levels – A comprehensive case report

Urine amylase levels are usually used to diagnose acute pancreatitis. However, there are reported cases where urine amylase levels are slightly increased in individuals without pancreatitis. Herein, we report the case of a young lady who presented with acute abdominal pain for 3 days. Her urine amyl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Malaysian family physician 2024-08, Vol.19, p.50-50
Main Authors: Abrizan, Hassan, Ikhwan, Sani Mohamad, Wan Mokhzani, Wan Mokhter, Siti Rahmah, Hashim Merican, Yahya, Maya Mazuwin, Hassan, Syed
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
amylase
Case Report
hyperamylasaemia
pancreas
pancreatitis
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Summary:Urine amylase levels are usually used to diagnose acute pancreatitis. However, there are reported cases where urine amylase levels are slightly increased in individuals without pancreatitis. Herein, we report the case of a young lady who presented with acute abdominal pain for 3 days. Her urine amylase level was 1717 U/L upon admission, and her condition was initially treated as acute pancreatitis. Unfortunately, the patient demonstrated abdominal guarding after 24 h; thus, urgent computed tomography (CT) was performed. CT revealed the presence of a dilated small bowel. She underwent emergency laparotomy, wherein a gangrenous small bowel with no evidence of saponification at the lesser sac was noted. Due to the non-specific nature of hyperamylasaemia, an alternative diagnosis other than acute pancreatitis should be considered if the clinical symptoms are not suggestive of pancreatitis or the condition worsens despite conservative management.
ISSN:1985-207X
1985-2274
DOI:10.51866/cr.624