Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of C-reactive protein(CRP) and Procalcitoni(PCT) to differentiate parapneumonic PE (PPPE), tuberculous PE(TBPE) and malignant PE (MPE).
Methods: In 67 patients with exudative PE ,we performed biochemical (total protein, LDH, cholesterol,glucose,) studies in concurrently obtained pleural fluid and venous blood samples. Pleural CRP(pCRP) and pleural PCT(pPCT) and cytologic studies were performed in pleural fluid. 62.7% were males and 37.3% females .
Results: The pCRP levels resulted higher in PPPE (79.7±40.8), TBPE( 29.19±19) and MPE associated with infection (31.87±19.2)and lower in MPE not associated with infection (12.38±13.2).pPCT levels resulted high in PPPE (0.672± 0.489 ng/mL) and in MPE associated with infection (0.843±1.33) but resulted low in TBPE (0.176± 0.098 ng/mL) and MPE not associated with infection(0.205±0.179 ng/mL).
Conclusion: Taken separately,CRP has better sensitivity and specificity than PCT in diagnosis of PPPE and MPE. Taken together,this tests not only enhance diagnosis of PPPE,but also strengthen the differential diagnosis between benign PE and MPE.These biomarkers can be taken into consideration together with biochemical and Hematological laboratory , cytology and imaging studies,all tightly combined with clinical manifestations.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015