<prompt> The most specific laboratory test to establish a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is:Serum amylaseSerum lipaseSerum Alkaline phosphataseSerum Calcium  <response>: Answer is B Serum lipase Serum lipase elevation is the most specific laboratory test for establishing a diagnosis of Acute Pancreatitis A three fold elevated serum lipase value is usually diagnostic of acute pancreatitis - Harrison Serum Lipase levels and serum amylase levels are both used to establish the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis An elevated serum Lipase level is more specific for pancreatitis than a serum amylase level because many other pathologic conditions may present with an elevated amylase level. Serum lipase is therefore the single best answer of choice. 