Is the diagnostic performance of the Mass Restricted ( MR ) score in the identification of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity or intra-amniotic inflammation superior to amniotic fluid interleukin-6?
IL-6 and the MR score have equivalent diagnostic performance in the identification of MIAC or intra-amniotic inflammation. Selection from among these three tests (MR score, IL-6 and MMP-8) for diagnostic purposes should be based on factors such as availability, reproducibility, and cost. The MR score requires a protein chip and a SELDI-TOF instrument which are not widely available or considered "state of the art". In contrast, immunoassays for IL-6 can be performed in the majority of clinical laboratories.
PET/CT data coregistered with intraprocedural CT images can guide needle placement in the viable portion of the lesion, thus increasing the chances of achieving a definitive diagnosis. This approach can offer a significant incremental benefit while performing image-guided biopsies.