title: Evaluation of mean platelet volume as a diagnostic biomarker in acute appendicitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diagnosis of acute appendicitis remains to be challenging with up to 30% negative exploration rates. In addition to careful clinical history and physical examination, we still need easily applicable, cheap and effective biomarker.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective case-controlled study was designed in two groups, both containing 100 patients, acute appendicitis and control. Leukocyte count, neutrophil percentage, platelet count and meal platelet volume (MPV) were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MPV values for acute appendicitis and control groups were 7.4 ± 0.9 fL (5.6-10.6) and 9.1 ± 1.6 fL (5.1-13.1). For the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, ROC analysis revealed 74% sensitivity and 75% specificity for a cut-off value of 7.95 fL of MPV, however, the diagnostic value of leukocyte count and/or neutrophil ratio was superior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that, MPV value is an important parameter in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, but in terms of sensitivity and specificity, leukocyte count and/or neutrophil percentage is superior.
authors.affiliation: Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of General Surgery Adana Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Erdem
authors.affiliation: Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of General Surgery Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Recep
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aktimur
authors.affiliation: Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of General Surgery Adana Turkey.
authors.forename: Suleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cetinkunar
authors.affiliation: Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of General Surgery Adana Turkey.
authors.forename: Enver
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reyhan
authors.affiliation: Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of General Surgery Adana Turkey.
authors.forename: Cihan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gokler
authors.affiliation: Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of General Surgery Adana Turkey.
authors.forename: Oktay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Irkorucu
authors.affiliation: Namik Kemal University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery Tekirdag, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sozen
keywords: Acute appendicitis; mean platelet volume; sensitivity; specificity