Efficacy of C-Reactive protein as a marker in patients with odontogenic fascial space infection: A prospective analytical study

Purpose: Odontogenic fascial space infections are often unpredictable in their course of spread due to the anatomical connectivity of potential spaces. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been widely studied and accepted as a marker in monitoring acute phase of infection. The purpose of this prospective analytical study was to identify the efficacy of CRP in fascial space infections by analyzing the correlation of CRP levels with other parameters of inflammation. Methods: About 30 patients with fascial space infection who required incision and drainage (I&D) were included in the study. The clinical parameters of infection such as pain, temperature, swelling, and pus discharge were measured. Laboratory parameters such as serum levels of CRP, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), and Total Leukocyte Count (TLC) were also estimated. The measures were analyzed prior to I&D on day 1, as well as on third, seventh, eleventh, and fifteenth day of I&D. The mean values at different time frames were analyzed statistically and spearman's correlation was performed to identify the relation of CRP with other parameters. Results: The mean CRP values dropped from 149.4 ± 81.8 ml/dl on the first day to 3.39 ± 0.9 mg/dl on the final day of assessment (P < 0.001). The CRP values demonstrated a significant positive correlation with ESR and TLC values and clinical parameters of infection. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that CRP can be used as an effective marker and should be incorporated as a monitoring tool in the diagnosis and prognosis in patients with fascial space infections.