Abstract
BackgroundSerum levels of procalcitonin (PCT) are considered a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of bacterial infection or inflammation. There are few reports of high PCT levels in end-stage liver disease regardless of bacterial infection. Here, we present a case of extremely high PCT levels (> 100 ng/mL) in a patient with severe cirrhosis combined with hepatic carcinoma.Case presentationA 65-year-old man developed end-stage cirrhosis with hepatic carcinoma. Radiographic imaging showed a massive hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple loci lack of indications of resection. Hence, transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization was performed three times over a period of 4 months. Before and after interventional therapies, the biochemistry laboratory results were only slightly abnormal except for persistently high PCT concentrations (> 100 ng/mL), irrespective of the evidence for bacterial infection or sepsis.ConclusionsThis case suggests that continuously high levels of PCT (> 100 ng/mL) may be present in advanced liver disease, particularly in complex situations such as decompensated cirrhosis and liver cancer, in the absence of severe infection or sepsis. This knowledge could expand the significance of PCT in liver disease.
Highlights
Procalcitonin (PCT) is a pro-peptide of calcitonin, a 13 kD glycoprotein without hormonal activity, and is secreted by thyroid C cells [1]
This case suggests that continuously high levels of PCT (> 100 ng/mL) may be present in advanced liver disease, in complex situations such as decompensated cirrhosis and liver cancer, in the absence of severe infection or sepsis
This knowledge could expand the significance of PCT in liver disease
Summary
This case suggests that continuously high levels of PCT (> 100 ng/mL) may be present in advanced liver disease, in complex situations such as decompensated cirrhosis and liver cancer, in the absence of severe infection or sepsis.
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