C-reactive protein in the differential diagnosis of gynecologic pathology

A qualitative assay for the presence of C-reactive protein (CRP), with a threshold of approximately 1 mg per deciliter, was performed on 121 gynecologic patients who presented to the University of Chicago, Chicago Lying-In Hospital for various complaints. CRP results divided patients with inflammatory processes from those without inflammation or necrosis with an accuracy of over 98%. The method, which is quick and inexpensive, allows CRP to be a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of pelvic pain and masses and further may be useful in the assessment of the efficacy of antibiotic regimens in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease.