Diagnostic Value of Procalcitonin in Patients With Acute Appendicitis
Diagnostic Value of Procalcitonin in Patients With Acute Appendicitis
The values of laboratory examinations which are useful for the diagnoses of acute
 appendicitis are white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte blood
 sedimentation rate (ESR). Another laboratory value which has recently received considerable
 attention for the early diagnosis of bacterial infection and sepsis is pro-calcitonin (PCT).
 In recent studies it has been clearly shown that PCT is one of the most important biochemical
 indicators which closely correlates with the severity of inflammatory host response to
 microbial infections. Aim of this open, prospective study is therefore to investigate if PCT
 has an accurate diagnostic value for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Clinical diagnosis of appendicitis

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Antibiotic therapy

 -  Infection at other body sites

 -  Age < 14 years

 -  Appendectomy in the medical history