Тhe value of the delta neutrophil index in odontogenic and non-odontogenic abscess surgery of the head and the neck

IntroductionThe delta neutrophil index (DNI) is a relatively new marker for diagnosis and following-up of infectious diseases. It has not been examined in the surgery of inflammatory diseases of head and neck yet.Materials and Methods The study included 80 patients with abscesses of head and neck over the age of 18 who had white blood cell, neutrophil, and DNI levels tested. They were divided into two groups—50 (28 men and 22 women) with odontogenic and 30 (20 men and 10 women) with non-odontogenic abscesses.The control group consisted of 51 age- and gender-matched healthy people.DNI was determined with a 5-part differential blood cell analyzer ADVIA 2120 (Siemens).Results and Discussion In the group with odontogenic abscesses the average value of leukocytes was 11.18x103/L, of neutrophils was 8.45x103/L, and that of DNI was 0.89%.In the group with non-odontogenic abscesses the average value of leukocytes was 10.57x103/L, of neutrophils was 7.24x103/L, and that of DNI was 0.74%.In the control group, the mean value of leukocytes was 7.04x103/L, of neutrophils was 4.02x103/L, and that of DNI was -1.15%.Higher values of leukocytes, neutrophils, and DNI were observed in the group with odontogenic abscesses compared to those in the group with non-odontogenic abscesses.Statistically significant (p < 0.05) higher values of leukocytes, neutrophils, and DNI were observed in the studied group with odontogenic abscesses compared to those in the control group.The values of leukocytes, neutrophils and DNI in the studied group with non-odontogenic abscesses were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the same markers in the control group.Conclusion According to the results, we believe that DNI might be used as a potential laboratory marker for diagnosing and treatment of patients with odontogenic and non-odontogenic abscesses of head and neck