Year : 2023

Volume : Volume 14

Issue : Issue 3

Address for correspondence :
Dr. V. Arun
arun.velur@gmail.com

Abstract

 Background: Odontogenic maxillofacial space infections are potentially fatal infections that needs urgent medical and surgical care. Most of 
the odontogenic infections are bacterial and early and prompt diagnosis of bacterial infections is sometimes difficult. Similarly evaluation of 
treatment response has the effect of minimizing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. Conventional markers of infection fail to properly evaluate 
the treatment response and there lies the significance of procalcitonin (PCT). This has high sensitivity and specificity for identifying bacterial 
infections and helps in treatment monitoring. Materials and Methods: Ten cases of Maxillofacial space infections with involvement of more 
than two spaces were included in the study. Demographic data and vital signs were recorded. Total white blood cell (WBC) counts and PCT 
levels were measured at admission, 24 h, 48 h, 96 h, and after 1 week. The values were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: PCT value 
decrease was found to be statistically significant compared to the total count values between 24 h and 48 h time period as well as 48/96 h 
periods, thus showing the positive response of patients to antibiotic therapy which was seen by clinical improvement as well. Conclusion: PCT 
is a promising biomarker to determine the treatment response in maxillofacial space infections and it helps in deciding the treatment duration 
with antibiotics as well