WBC count in trauma

Q: High white blood cell (WBC) count after trauma is a predictor of poor outcome? (select one)

A) True
B) False


Answer: B

WBC count usually rises up to 12,000 to 20,000/mm3 with a left shift after trauma. It has no predictor value. The rise in WBC count could be only due to epinephrine release secondary to trauma (demargination), though viscus injury can also be the cause.

#trauma
#hematology


References:

Schnüriger B, Inaba K, Barmparas G, et al. Serial white blood cell counts in trauma: do they predict a hollow viscus injury? J Trauma 2010; 69:302.

Asimos AW, Gibbs MA, Marx JA, et al. Value of point-of-care blood testing in emergent trauma management. J Trauma 2000; 48:1101.