LRINEC Score = 0

Laboratory Risk Indicator for NECrotizing fasciitis: scoring model for assisting in the clinical diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis.

 WBC (mm-3)
 Hemoglobin (g/dL)

If clinical history and presentation suggest necrotizing fasciitis, take directly to the OR for exploration / debridement, do not wait for or even calculate the LRINEC score.

No prospective validation studies. Retrospective analysis:

! A low LRINEC score should NOT be used to rule out necrotizing fasciitis, as labs often have delayed changes. Per the validation article cited below, "The rate of clinical diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis by emergency physicians before admission was 58.4% (95% CI 52.0-64.8%). Of the 97 patients with necrotizing fasciitis who were not clinically diagnosed before admission, 43.3% (95% CI 36.9-49.7%) had a LRINEC score <6."

Wong CH et al. The LRINEC (Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis) score: a tool for distinguishing necrotizing fasciitis from other soft tissue infections. Crit Care Med. 2004; 32(7):1535-41.

Liao C et al. Validation of the laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis (LRINEC) score for early diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. Tzu Chi Medical Journal. 2012; 24(2):73-6