C-reactive protein in the early diagnosis of pneumonia complicating severe blunt chest trauma.

INTRODUCTION: The early diagnosis of pneumonia following severe blunt chest trauma (SBCT) allows the early prescription of antibiotics and initiation of adequate supportive care. AIM: To assess the usefulness of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the early diagnosis of pneumonia complicating SBCT. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of patients admitted to trauma intensive care unit for SBCT between January 2020 and February 2023. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether or not they developed pneumonia. The CRP levels were monitored daily. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-seven patients were included. Pneumonia occurred in 40.1% of patients within a median of 5 days. We found statistically significant difference in mean CRP levels between groups from day 3 to day 9 following trauma. The increase in CRP level on the 4th day from a value greater than or equal to 192 mg/L was a marker of early diagnosis of pneumonia (sensitivity 80.6%; specificity 80.8%). CONCLUSION: Daily CRP measurement from the 3rd day following SBCT may be useful for early diagnosis of pneumonia complicating SBCT.

[Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in patients with preeclampsia: case report]. / Le syndrome d´encéphalopathie postérieure réversible en cas de pré-éclampsie: à propos d´un cas.

Reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare clinico-radiological syndrome. Diagnosis is suspected in pregnant women suffering from eclampsia when brain CT scan shows radiological images suggestive of this disease. We here report the case of a 25-year-old pregnant woman at 33 weeks' gestation with a history of pre-eclampsia presenting with convulsive seizures and high blood pressure following cesarean section. The patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit; clinical and radiological investigations revealed PRES syndrome. The clinical course was favorable after control of blood pressure by appropriate treatment and anticonvulsant therapy. Reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome is a neurological manifestation rarely occurring in patients with pre-eclampsia, but it is not exceptional; then diagnosis should be suspected in patients with neurological signs. Brain MRI is the best diagnostic tool.