Postmortem Serum Amylase and Lipase Analysis in the Diagnosis of Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract

The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, which can occur due to natural and nonnatural causes, is usually made at autopsy based on gross and microscopic examination. However, some pathologists choose to measure serum amylase and lipase levels in postmortem blood samples, which may provide corroborating evidence of acute pancreatitis when evaluated in the context of the autopsy findings. A small series of autopsy cases of deaths related to acute pancreatitis with corresponding postmortem serum amylase and lipase levels and a review of the literature are used to highlight the potential benefits and interpretation issues of postmortem serum amylase and lipase. In autopsies without decomposition, elevated postmortem serum amylase (greater than 1000 U/L) and lipase can provide supportive evidence of acute pancreatitis as a cause of death. However, relying on postmortem serum amylase and lipase alone to diagnose acute pancreatitis is insufficient and unreliable. Rather, one must have the gross and histologic evidence of acute pancreatitis. Acad Forensic Pathol. 2018 8(2): 311-323.