Role of Procalcitonin for Early Discrimination Between Necrotizing Fasciitis and Cellulitis of the Extremities

Abstract

Introduction Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a grave and life-threatening infection of the soft tissues. It is defined by the gradual necrosis of the fascia and subcutaneous tissue, which spreads along the fascial planes. Cellulitis, a prevalent skin infection, has led to suggestions that procalcitonin could serve as a diagnostic tool to distinguish it from other inflammatory skin conditions that resemble cellulitis. The study aims to assess the procalcitonin (PCT) levels in individuals with NF and cellulitis and determine its effectiveness in early differentiation between these two conditions. Methods After obtaining clearance from the institutional ethical committee, the study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, over six months. Informed consent was obtained from all 30 patients included in this study. The study compared PCT levels in patients diagnosed with NF and cellulitis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results The mean age of subjects was 53.23 ± 8.78 years. Among patients, 21 (70%) were diagnosed with cellulitis and 9 (30%) were diagnosed with NF. The mean PCT levels were 0.34 ± 0.32 and 4.89 ± 1.98 among the cellulitis and NF groups, respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.05). PCT had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%, in differentiating cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis. Conclusion PCT levels were notably elevated in cases of NF compared to cellulitis. Despite the study's limited sample size, it represents the first report highlighting the value of PCT as an early diagnostic tool for identifying necrotizing fasciitis.