Comparison of Synovial Fluid and Serum Procalcitonin for Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint Infection: A Pilot Study in 32 Patients
Table 4
Relevant clinical and laboratory findings for PJI definition.
PJI (n=20)
Aseptic loosening (n=12)
p value
Sinus tract presence◎
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
1.00
Synovial fluid culture◎
13 (65%)
0 (0%)
<0.001
Tissue culture◎
14 (70%)
0 (0%)
<0.001
Serum markers
ESR, mm/hour △▽
81 ± 27
18.5 (12.5–36.5)
<0.001
CRP, mg/dL △
149 ± 98
2.9 ± 2.5
<0.001
Serum PCT, ng/mL ▽
0.33 (0.08–2.79)
0.04 (0.03–0.06)
<0.001
Hip
n/a
0.04 (0.02–0.06)
n/a
Knee
0.33 (0.08–2.79)
0.04 ± 0.04
0.001
Synovial fluid markers
Synovial fluid WBC, cell/mm3▽△
78,920 (3,420–335,400)
1350 ± 827
<0.001
Neutrophil △
90.8 ± 6.2
54.9 ± 17.2
<0.001
SF-PCT, ng/mL▽
0.16 (0.12–0.26)
0.00 (0.00–0.00)
<0.001
Hip
n/a
0.00 0.00
n/a
Knee
0.16 (0.12–0.26)
0.00 (0.00–0.06)
0.004
◎: value presented as number of cases (percentage), △: value presented as mean standard deviation, ▽: value presented as median (interquartile range), and n/a: not available.
