Value of Procalcitonin Level of Pleural Effusion in Staging Diagnosis of Parapneumonic Effusion

Objective To evaluate the value of procalcitonin(PCT)level of pleural effusion to differentiate the stages in diagnosis of parapneumonic effusion(PPE).Methods Totally 42 atients with pleural effusions were enrolled and divided into two groups:uncomplicated parapneumonic effusion(UCPE)(n=28)and complicated parapneumonic effusion(CPE)(n=14).PCT levels of blood and pleural effusion samples were measured in the two groups.And 19 transudate patients were enrolled as control group.Results PCT level in pleural effusion was significantly higher in the CPE group(2.9 ng/ml)than in the UCPE group(0.3 ng/ml)(P0.01),but there was no significant difference in serum PCT(P0.05).As the PCT concentration of pleural fluid was more than 0.5 ng/ml,it was considered an indicator for a treatment by thoracic closed drainage,or thoracic injection of urokinase,or possible thoracoscopic surgery(sensitivity 91.5% and specificity 87.9%).Conclusion Pleural effusion PCT detection is helpful to staging diagnosis of parapneumonic effusion and guiding the management.