cystic right ovary with raised amylase levels

by prasad
(indis)

My daughter aged 8 years got severe abdomen pain about 5 months ago. When we consulted gastroenterologist, he preferred CT scan and MRCP scan to diagnose any pancreatic problems. But the reports say no such symptoms. But one of the ultrasound scan reported cystic right ovary(enlarged tight ovary with multiple follicles). IS there any such chance at 8 years age? Further from then the the serum amylase levels are high( 900U/L). Actually we consulted 3 doctors. But all the three are concentrating on pancreas only. What could be the reason?

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Hello Prassad,

Thanks for contacting us. I can imagine the distress you are in, not knowing what is going on with your daughter's health, after seeing up to 3 different doctors because of an unexplained raised level of amylase in the presence of ovarian cyst, and normal pancreas.

I agree with the findings that your 8 year old daughter does not have pancreatitis, despite the raised level of amylase, since this has been cleared by both the examination I believe, and MRCP and other test.

From the story you provided, what has clearly happened is that your daughter had a twisted right ovarian cyst that caused her severe right sided abdominal pain. This also lead to the release of high levels of amylase.

There are over 20 other causes of raised amylase levels, other than pancreatitis. There are numerous documentations in the medical literature, for over 70 years, of the relationship between ovarian cyst and raised amylase levels. You may want to read an article in a recent medical journal that sounded so much like the case with your daughter, except that this occurred in a 25 year old lady. I hope this story will help to allay your fears.

What you will need to do now, is to be referred to a gynecologist to review your daughter, in view of her ovarian cyst so that this be investigated and dealt with, if necessary. Most times, these cysts do not need any treatment, if they are simple cysts. However, if they keep twisting on and off or are looking suspicious, then they may require removal.

Please see the journal referred to here at Pancreatic-type hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia secondary to ruptured ovarian cyst: a case report and review of the literature.

Thank you for stopping by here at abdopain.com and using our free online resource, and hope you come back soon to follow our updates.

Feel free to invite families and friends to use our free online medical consultation services too.

I hope everything goes well with your daughter.

Dr O. Edema
abdopain.com



Reference:

Pancreatic-type hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia secondary to ruptured ovarian cyst: a case report and review of the literature.
J Emerg Med. 2010 May;38(4):463-6. Epub 2008 Nov 7.