Is procalcitonin valuable in the differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of procalcitonin (PCT) in the differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis.


METHODS
This experimental study was performed in the research laboratory of Dicle University, School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey between March and June 2008. The study included 24 male rats randomized equally in 3 groups: sham, epididymo-orchitis, and torsion groups. Blood samples were obtained from all rats at the beginning of the study. After torsion and infection occurred in the testes, new blood samples were obtained for PCT measurement. Then, all the right testes of the rats were excised for histopathological evaluation. The Wilcoxon signed test was used for statistical evaluation.


RESULTS
Pre- and post PCT levels were statically compared, and PCT levels were significantly higher in the epididymo-orchitis group.


CONCLUSIONS
Procalcitonin could be an easy, fast, and safe marker for use in the differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis.
Yamis
Sait
S
Department of Urology, Medical School, Dicle University, Diyarbakir 21280, Turkey.
Gedik
Abdullah
A
Sahin
Hayrettin
H
Batun
Sabri
S
Nergiz
Yusuf
Y
Bircan
Kamuran
K
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004823:Epididymitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009920:Orchitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013086:Spermatic Cord Torsion / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
D015415:Biomarkers; C000606591:Calca protein, rat; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide