[Procalcitonin plasma levels do not alter after uncomplicated skull base surgery]. / Las concentraciones de procalcitonina no se alteran en la cirugía de base de cráneo no complicada.

INTRODUCTION: Procalcitonin (PCT) is the precursor of the calcitonin hormone. Plasma concentrations of procalcitonin increase in systemic inflammation, especially when they are caused by bacterial infections. The aim of this study is to analyze and validate the baseline PCT concentrations after different types of skull base surgery and to test the hypothesis that PCT could be useful as an early marker of post-operative infectious complications, especially meningitis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a prospective study of sixteen patients who underwent skull base surgery. PCT and C-reactive protein plasma levels, leukocytes and clinical symptoms were registered pre-operatively and 1, 2, and 5 days post-operatively. RESULTS: All patients had a normal post-operative course without clinical signs of infection. PCT concentrations did not increase above the normal range in any case. CONCLUSIONS: As PCT plasma concentration does not notably increase despite the inflammatory phenomena associated with uncomplicated skull base surgery, it may be possible to use PCT as an early marker for non-invasive study of post-operative infectious complications.

Las concentraciones de procalcitonina no se alteran en la cirugía de base de cráneo no complicada / Procalcitonin plasma levels do not alter after uncomplicated skull base surgery

Introducción: La procalcitonina (PCT) es el precursor de la hormona calcitonina. Las concentraciones de PCT en plasma aumentan en relación con las manifestaciones sistémicas de la reacción inflamatoria, especialmente cuando están causadas por una infección bacteriana. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer y validar las concentraciones basales de PCT alcanzadas tras diferentes tipos de cirugía de base de cráneo por si pudiese utilizarse como marcador precoz de complicaciones infecciosas, fundamentalmente meningitis. Material y método: Se realiza un estudio prospectivo sobre 16 pacientes intervenidos de base de cráneo. Se estudiaron las concentraciones de PCT, proteína C reactiva, leucocitos en sangre y síntomas clínicos en el preoperatorio y el primero, el segundo y el quinto día postoperatorios. Resultados: Todos los pacientes tuvieron un postoperatorio sin signos infecciosos generales ni fiebre. Las concentraciones de PCT no aumentaron en ningún caso por encima de los valores normales. Conclusiones: Dado que los fenómenos inflamatorios propios de las intervenciones no complicadas de base de cráneo no elevan de forma reseñable las concentraciones de PCT, se podría utilizarla para estudiar por técnicas no invasivas los casos que sí presenten complicaciones infecciosas intercurrentes

Introduction: Procalcitonin (PCT) is the precursor of the calcitonin hormone. Plasma concentrations of procalcitonin increase in systemic inflammation, especially when they are caused by bacterial infections. The aim of this study is to analyze and validate the baseline PCT concentrations after different types of skull base surgery and to test the hypothesis that PCT could be useful as an early marker of post-operative infectious complications, especially meningitis. Material and method: This is a prospective study of sixteen patients who underwent skull base surgery. PCT and C-reactive protein plasma levels, leukocytes and clinical symptoms were registered pre-operatively and 1, 2, and 5 days post-operatively. Results: All patients had a normal post-operative course without clinical signs of infection. PCT concentrations did not increase above the normal range in any case. Conclusions: As PCT plasma concentration does not notably increase despite the inflammatory phenomena associated with uncomplicated skull base surgery, it may be possible to use PCT as an early marker for non-invasive study of post-operative infectious complications