Comparative Characterization of Procalcitonin (Sensitivity, Specificity, Predictability, and Cut-Off Reference Values) as a Marker of Inflammation in Odontogenic Abscesses of the Head and Neck in the Female Population

Introduction Odontogenic abscesses of the head and neck can lead to serious complications and even end in death. This requires healthcare professionals to have a good knowledge of all the markers of inflammation that can be used in their diagnosis and treatment. Such markers that we use in our daily medical practice are leukocytes (WBC), neutrophils (Neu), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Somehow, in the background is procalcitonin (PCT), which has not been studied in detail in this type of purulent infection. The aim of the present study is to investigate and analyze PCT in odontogenic purulent infections of the head and neck in the female population and to compare it with already proven markers of inflammation such as CRP, WBC, and Neu. For the first time in the literature, as per our knowledge, the sensitivity, specificity, and predictability of PCT were determined when using it as an independent indicator of inflammation, and its cut-off reference values were determined in women with odontogenic abscesses of the head and neck. Materials and methods This is a prospective study, in which the CRP, WBC, Neu, and PCT of 30 women with odontogenic abscesses of the head and neck with a mean age of 47 (18-81) years were examined and analyzed. As a control group, we included 30 healthy women with a mean age of 48 (18-80) years, in whom there was no anamnestic and physical evidence of the presence of any infection in the last three months. The four markers were measured for the control group too. Results In the clinical group of women with odontogenic abscesses of the head and neck, the average values of CRP, WBC, Neu, and PCT were significantly higher (p<0.0001) compared to the same in the control group of healthy women; CRP: 95.46±76.41 mg/l vs. 0.63±0.37 mg/l, WBC: 10.44±2.97x10(3)/L vs. 6.5±1.49x10(3)/L, Neu: 7.92±2.93x10(3)/L vs. 4.03±1.07x10(3)/L, PCT: 0.74±0.69 ng/ml vs. 0.14±0.08 ng/ml. Discussion PCT, as well as CRP, WBC, and Neu, increases its plasma concentration in women with odontogenic abscesses of the head and neck and is extremely well positively correlated with them, with a high correlation with CRP and a significant correlation with WBC and Neu. In addition, PCT has a number of advantages over the other markers; it begins to increase its plasma concentration faster, reaches its maximum plasma concentration faster, normalizes its concentration faster after the infection subsides, and increases its blood level only in bacterial infection genesis. Conclusions PCT as a marker of inflammation not only positively correlates well with CRP, WBC, and Neu but also, with its advantages over them, it appears to be the most accurate indicator in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of odontogenic head and neck abscesses in the near future; not only in women but also in the male and children's population. Its sensitivity, specificity, and predictability as an independent indicator of inflammation are 80%, 76.7%, and 83%, respectively, and its cut-off value of 0.225 ng/ml is lower than the generally accepted 0.5 ng/ml.