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Procalcitonin as a predictor of severe appendicitis in children

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) in 212 children with appendicitis and compare it with that of the standard diagnostic modalities, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, leukocyte count, and abdominal ultrasound findings, in relation to the surgical and histological findings of the appendix. A PCT value of >0.5 ng/ml was found to be indicative of perforation or gangrene with 73.4% sensitivity and 94.6% specificity, a CRP level of >50 mg/l and a leukocyte count of >104/mm3 were useful diagnostic markers for perforation, while abdominal ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 82.8% and a specificity of 91.2% for detecting appendicitis with imaging findings. PCT measurement seems to be a useful adjunctive tool for diagnosing acute necrotizing appendicitis or perforation, and surgical exploration will probably be required in patients with PCT values >0.5 ng/ml.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Second Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    D. A. Kafetzis, I. M. Velissariou, D. D. Kafetzis & E. Androulakakis

  2. First Department of Pediatric Surgery, P. & A. Kyriakou Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece

    P. Nikolaides, M. Sklavos, M. Maktabi, G. Spyridis & E. Androulakakis

Authors
  1. D. A. Kafetzis
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  2. I. M. Velissariou
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  3. P. Nikolaides
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  4. M. Sklavos
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  5. M. Maktabi
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  6. G. Spyridis
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  7. D. D. Kafetzis
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  8. E. Androulakakis
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Correspondence to D. A. Kafetzis.

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Kafetzis, D.A., Velissariou, I.M., Nikolaides, P. et al. Procalcitonin as a predictor of severe appendicitis in children. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 24, 484–487 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-005-1360-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-005-1360-4

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