Evaluation of serum values of pancreatic enzymes after endoscopic retrograde pancreatography in dogs

Abstract

Results indicated that ERP appears to be a safe imaging technique of pancreatic ducts in healthy dogs, although it induced a transient increase in serum values of pancreatic enzymes. In dogs, repeated clinical examinations and serum enzyme determinations can be used to monitor ERP-induced complications such as acute pancreatitis.

Specificity and sensitivity of serum canine pancreatic elastase-1 concentration in the diagnosis of pancreatitis

“…However, a later publication from the same authors also reported a wideranging baseline cPE-1 concentration in 7 healthy dogs (0.1-411.6 ng/ml) but with a median value of 5.5 ng/ml, similar to the dogs with non-pancreatic disease in the present study. 15 This initially wide reference interval raises the question of whether sample handling or hemolysis may have contributed to the variability of measured values. The manufacturers of the assay report that hemolysis or storage above 8°C for more than 72 hr can artifactually increase serum cPE-1 measurements.…”

“…15 An earlier abstract of 16 healthy dogs had a minimum value of 32.1 ng/ml, and a maximum value of 659.3 ng/ml, with a median concentration of 55.8 ng/ml (Spillmann et al, J Vet Intern Med abstract 2002; 16:635). Unfortunately, the mean values were not reported in that study.…”

“…1,10,19 In chronic pancreatitis, the exocrine function of the pancreas may become diminished, and in human patients with chronic pancreatitis, serum and fecal PE-1 is often reduced, reflecting subclinical exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. 9 Pancreatic elastase-1 has been measured in the serum of dogs undergoing endoscopic retrograde pancreatography, 15 in healthy dogs, dogs with renal failure, and dogs with pancreatitis (Spillmann et al, J Vet Intern Med abstract 2002; 16:635). In the latter study, there was a significant difference in the median values of dogs with severe pancreatitis compared to healthy dogs or dogs with renal failure.…”

“…15 There was a high specificity for the diagnosis of severe acute pancreatitis (91.7%) using a cut-off value of 17.24 ng/ml, resulting in a high positive likelihood ratio, but a lower sensitivity (78.3%) with wide confidence intervals. The sensitivity also decreased when assessing all types of pancreatic disease (61.4%), and all cases of acute pancreatitis (65.9%), but the specificity remained the same.…”

Practical Interpretation and Application of Exocrine Pancreatic Testing in Small Animals

“…43 A further study from the same investigators assessed the measurement of serum cPE-1, along with amylase, lipase, and TLI in 7 healthy beagles after endoscopic retrograde pancreatography, a procedure that is commonly associated with the development of pancreatic inflammation. 44 There was no difference between the baseline and any subsequent measurement of cPE-1 in any dog, although there was in the other 3 enzymes. Additionally, the range at baseline for the 7 healthy dogs was quite wide (0.1-411.6 ng/mL) with a median of 5.5 ng/mL.…”