Procalcitonin versus interleukin-6 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of trauma victims with severe lung contusion.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether measurement of procalcitonin (PCT) in comparison with interleukin-6 is a reliable marker to score the extent of lung contusion in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids in polytrauma patients.


METHODS
Prospective, nonrandomized, observational study.


METHODS
Twelve-bed intensive care unit in a 1,100-bed primary care university hospital.


METHODS
Fourteen trauma victims presenting with severe lung contusion and acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome were enrolled in the study.


METHODS
Bronchoscopy with collection of lavage fluid and serum blood samples. Samples were obtained on days 1 and 2 after severe chest trauma, and lung contusion was assessed by computed tomography scan.


RESULTS
PCT was detectable in BAL fluids of all 14 patients. A significant correlation for PCT serum and BAL levels was found on day 2 (p =.0063). For PCT, no significant correlations (Spearman rank) were found to the lung injury score (p =.93), the abbreviated injury scale-lung (p =.33), or the sepsis-related organ failure assessment score-lung (p =.38). Also, for interleukin-6 there was no significant correlation to the lung injury score (p =.62), abbreviated injury scale-lung (p =.45), or the sepsis-related organ failure assessment score-lung (p =.54).


CONCLUSIONS
PCT and interleukin-6 BAL levels cannot be considered as reliable parameters to assess the extent of lung contusion.
Stiletto
R J
RJ
Department of Trauma Surgery and Intensive Care Unit, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany. stiletto@mailer.uni-Marburg.de
Baacke
M
M
Gotzen
L
L
Lefering
R
R
Renz
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D055370:Lung Injury; D008297:Male; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000378:metabolism*
C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide