PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - McCormack, M
TI  - Diagnostic potential of lysosomal hydrolases in body cavity effusions.
AID  - 10.1136/jcp.29.2.124
DP  - 1976 Feb 01
TA  - Journal of Clinical Pathology
PG  - 124--129
VI  - 29
IP  - 2
4099  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/29/2/124.short
4100  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/29/2/124.full
SO  - J Clin Pathol1976 Feb 01; 29
AB  - Hexosaminidase, alpha-mannosidase, beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase, and arylsulphatase A were measured inperitoneal and pleural effusions from patients with benign, malignant, and inflammatory disorders. Compared with the benign transudates, all enzyme activities were moderately elevated in malignant effusions and markedly elevated in inflammatory effusions. The assay of hexosaminidase and and alpha-mannosidase indicated clearly the underlying pathology in most specimens studied. This method could be of clinical value when the cause of an effusion is in doubt, particularly since the diagnostic criteria are independent of the presence or absence of tumour cells in the aspirate.