[Diagnostic significance of cholinesterase determination in human serum (author's transl)].

The differential diagnostic importance of CHE determination in searching for and observing the course of liver diseases is emphasized in the literature within the small and large enzyme pattern (eg. Gergs 1976). In chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis normal or almost normal values suggest a favorable prognosis. Greatly reduced CHE points to limitation of liver function and a severe form of the disease suggesting toxic influences and considerable deficiency. Rapidly falling CHE activity both in acute hepatitis and in chronic inflammations of the liver point to the danger of threatening hepatic coma.