Abstract
The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score was introduced as a tool for distinguishing necrotizing fasciitis from other soft tissue infections. We retrospectively analyzed 11 patients with necrotizing fasciitis and 110 patients with severe cellulitis between 2005 and 2012 to validate the usefulness of the LRINEC score. The LRINEC score was significantly higher in patients with necrotizing fasciitis (mean 9.2, range 6-12) than in those with severe cellulitis (mean 2.7, range 0-10). With a cut-off score of ≥ 6, the LRINEC score had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 85.5%, positive predictive value of 40.7%, and negative predictive value of 100% in distinguishing the patients with necrotizing fasciitis from those with severe cellulitis. Our results suggest the LRINEC score is a useful ancillary diagnostic tool for necrotizing fasciitis besides clinical and radiological findings.
