RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Serum amylase and acute pancreatitis JF Emergency Medicine Journal JO Emerg Med J FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine SP 550 OP 551 DO 10.1136/emj.20.6.550 VO 20 IS 6 A1 John Butler A1 Damian Bates YR 2003 UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/20/6/550.abstract AB A short cut review was carried out to establish whether a normal serum amylase value rules out the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Altogether 191 papers were found using the reported search, of which four presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated.