Coronavirus disease 2019 has caused the most unprecedented health crisis since the 1918 H1N1 pandemic. Whilst COVID-19 is traditionally considered to be a respiratory disease, it is important to understand that this virus has the potential to disseminate throughout the body causing multi-organ failure. Both peripheral and central neurological systems have been shown to be greatly affected. This review aims to look at the available literature published on COVID-19 and summarize the main neurological complications seen so far.
Background: Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most common surgical pathologies. Its diagnosis is often carried out based on clinical signs and symptoms, with additional minimally invasive tests (i.e., blood testing) done to support the diagnosis. Procalcitonin (PCT) is a relatively novel biomarker that is starting to be used by clinicians for patients admitted into hospitals with a variety of infections. Its level can be used to identify the presence of infection. The aim of this review is to assess how useful PCT is as a biomarker in supporting clinicians' assessment of patients with suspected appendicitis.Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out, yielding a total of 16 primary research papers deemed appropriate for appraisal.Results: The usefulness of PCT in aiding the diagnosis of AA depends on the severity of appendicitis. Patients who experience complicated appendicitis (CAA) such as perforation, gangrene, or necrosis have a significantly raised PCT level (p<0.05) compared to those with uncomplicated appendicitis (UAA) and a variety of other non-appendiceal intra-abdominal pathologies.Conclusions: The use of PCT in UAA is weak, however, PCT was deemed useful in helping predict CAA, thus helping portray the severity of infection. This, in turn, will help ensure patients are taken to the operating theatre in a timely and safe manner for subsequent appendicectomy.
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