Comparison of White Blood Cell Count, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, and C-Reactive Protein for Diagnosis of Diabetic Foot Infection

PURPOSE: Diagnosis of diabetic foot infection is sometimes difficult, since the classical inflammatory signs and leukocytosis may be absent due to the decreased host immune response in diabetics. Therefore inflammatory blood markers, such as white blood cell(WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), and C-reactive protein(CRP) have been commonly needed to confirm the diagnosis of infection. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of WBC, ESR and CRP for detection of diabetic foot infection. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were taken from 113 patients with diabetic foot ulcers admitted from June 2007 to April 2009. Diabetic foot infection was diagnosed according to the microbiological culture from soft tissue and bone specimens. Reference values of tests were 4500-11000/microliter for WBC count, 0-20mm/hr for ESR, and 0-5 mg/L for CRP(13,14). Sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values of laboratory tests were calculated and analysed. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve was also created. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in WBC, ESR, and CRP between infectious group and noninfectious group(p11,000/microliter ESR >20 mm/hr, and CRP > 5mg/L was 30%, 96%, and 84%. The specificity was 86%, 14%, and 50% for WBC, ESR, and CRP, respectively. Positive predictive value was 88%, 78%, and 84%, and negative predictive value was 28%, 50%, and 50% respectively. The areas under the ROC curve for WBC, ESR and CRP were 0.72, 0.75, and 0.78 respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, we conclude that CRP is more useful method in predicting and diagnosing infection than WBC, ESR in diabetic foot ulcer patients.

Correction of Cryptotia by Triangular V-Y Advancement Flap and Rhomboid Flap

PURPOSE: Cryptotia is a congenital deformity in which the upper third of the auricle is buried under the temporal skin. It is rare in Caucasians, yet it is more common in Asians. Although a variety of methods to treat cryptotia have been introduced, there is still no acceptable single procedure that can successfully manage this deformity in its entity. We present a triangular V-Y advancement flap and rhomboid flap for correcting cryptotia that can overcome the diverse shortcomings of the conventional methods. METHODS: This operative method was used to correct 18 auricles in patients ranging in age from 4 to 33 years. A triangular flap was prepared over the auricle by making a skin incision according to Ohmori's method. Then a rhomboid flap with a side length of about 8 to 10 mm that sets the lower portion as a pedicle in the anterior region was prepared to supplement the contracted portion of the helix. The cartilage deformity was corrected by the banner flap or the radiating cartilage incisions with cartilage graft or high density polyethylene graft. RESULTS: We have treated 16 patients with severe cryptotia using this method and have obtained good aesthetic results. All cases showed widened scaphoid fossa and smooth triangular fossa of antihelix. There were no major postoperative complications, such as necrosis or infection of the flaps. CONCLUSION: Correction of cryptotia using the triangular V-Y advancement flap and rhomboid flap is useful a method for certain conditions, when a severe contraction of the helix is present.