Significance of LRINEC Score in the Diagnosis of Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic justification of LRINEC score for the identification of Necrotizing fasciitis in patients having soft tissue infection using histopathology as a gold standard.

Methods: This cross sectional work in the Surgical Units of Dow University of Health Sciences and Civil Hospital Karachi from 23-01-2016 to 22-07-2016.A total of 156 patients diagnosed as having soft tissue infection, after fulfillment of inclusion/exclusion criteria were included in the research. Detailed informed consent taken from each patient regarding the participation in the study and for biopsy. LRINEC score parameters, final score and histopathological diagnosis were noted in the proforma. The final diagnosis was made on the basis of necrotizing changes on histopathology report.

Results: Rate of necrotizing fasciitis was observed in 14.7% cases confirmed by histopathology. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value as well as accuracy of LRINEC (>6) in diagnoses of necrotizing fasciitis were 82.6%, 76.7%, 38%, 96.2% and 77.6% respectively.

Conclusion: LRINEC is simple, cheap and easily available scoring system it potentially help early differentiation of non lethal soft tissue infections from lethal necrotizing fasciitis.