Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Preparing a Mice Model of Severe Acute Pancreatitis via a Combination of Caerulein and Lipopolysaccharide Intraperitoneal Injection
Published on: May 10, 2024
Procalcitonin is a predictive marker for severe acute pancreatitis
Nurullah Bülbüller1, Osman Doğru, Refik Ayten
1Department of General Surgery, Medicine Faculty of Firat University, Elaziğ, Turkey. nbulbuller@yahoo.com
Background:
Early identification of patients who develop severe acute pancreatitis and those who can benefit from intensive care is important. We studied whether procalcitonin, a marker of systemic inflammation, is important in the differential diagnosis of patients with mild and severe acute pancreatitis.
Methods:
Patients were divided into two groups (mild and severe form) prospectively. Procalcitonin levels and the Ranson's and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were determined both at admission and during the follow-up.
Results:
Of the 65 patients with acute pancreatitis, 46 had mild and 19 had severe pancreatitis. Sensitivity and specificity values for patients calculated using procalcitonin level at 0.5 ng/ml, Ranson's score at 3 and APACHE II score at 8 cut-off levels, were 100%, 84% and 89%; and 84%, 63% and 89% respectively.
Conclusion:
Procalcitonin is a practical, simple parameter that can be used in order to diagnose severe acute pancreatitis earlier and to monitor the clinical prognosis of the disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
01:21Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
01:25Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
01:27Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:
00:51Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin
The exact mechanisms by which calcitonin operates in calcium homeostasis remain elusive, but its significance is evident in several vital...
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...