title: Is procalcitonin valuable in the differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Medical School, Dicle University, Diyarbakir 21280, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sait
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamis
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gedik
authors.forename: Hayrettin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.forename: Sabri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Batun
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nergiz
authors.forename: Kamuran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bircan
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000606591:Calca protein, rat; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide