title: Protein S-100b for individual prediction of functional outcome in spinal epidural empyema.
abstract: METHODS
  A study correlating protein S-100b serum levels with postoperative functional outcome in patients with spinal cord compression resulting from epidural empyema.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the potential value of protein S-100b for prediction of individual functional outcome in medullary lesions resulting from spinal epidural empyema.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Despite modern medical advances, a reliable individual prediction of functional outcome in case of spinal epidural empyema is still not possible.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forming two outcome groups, clinical outcome following surgery was considered to be favorable in case of neurologic improvement with preservation or retrieval of walking ability, whereas nonimprovement without restoration of gait function was regarded to be unfavorable. Venous blood samples for protein S-100b were taken from all patients immediately after admission and regularly after operative decompression. Initial levels of S-100b were correlated with preoperative degree and duration of paresis, and the individual time course of S-100b measurements was correlated with clinical outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The initial level of protein S-100b is not correlated with preoperative degree and duration of paresis or with functional outcome. The individual time course of S-100b measurements, however, is different in both outcome groups. Levels of protein S-100b that were either always normal or that were initially increased but normalized rapidly within 3 days were invariably associated with retrieval of gait function, whereas none of those patients recovered in whom increased levels of S-100b persisted beyond the third postoperative day (P < 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Protein S-100b might be a promising serum marker with prognostic significance in the event of spinal cord compression resulting from epidural empyema.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgical Clinic, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. G.Marquardt@em.uni-frankfurt.de
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marquardt
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Setzer
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Seifert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004653:Empyema / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins