Diagnostic enzymes for pancreatic disease.

In this article, the authors describe the various subgroups of pancreatitis and discuss pathophysiologic etiologies as they are currently understood. They present their opinions as to the relative usefulness of various biochemical tests for acute pancreatitis. They discuss their approach to the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain. They also describe clinical circumstances, such as renal failure, for which accurate diagnosis of pancreatitis is more difficult than usual.