Early Detecting Cervical Necrotizing Fasciitis from Deep Neck Infections: a Study of 550 Patients

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective review study is to evaluate Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score as an indicative parameter in early detecting cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) from deep neck infections (DNI).

Methods: We reviewed 12 cases of CNF and 538 cases of non-necrotizing deep neck infection hospitalized in our hospital over the last decade. Cervical necrotizing fasciitis was histologically confirmed.

Results: Using an LRINEC score of 6 as a cutoff sensitivity was calculated at 100% (95% CI 99.9-100) and specificity 72.5% (95% CI 72.4-72.6). Negative predicted value (NPV) was 100% and positive predicted value (PPV) was 7.5%. C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood count (WBC), and glucose (Glu) levels have a higher correlation. Haemoglobin (Hb), sodium (Na), and creatinine (Cr) do not seem to have a big impact in our study.

Conclusion: LRINEC score proves to be a useful "rule-out" tool that works on the safe side with high sensitivity and poor specificity. WBC, CRP, and Glu seem to be the most significant variables of the LRINEC score. Hb, Na, and Cr make the score safer. Decision for surgery must be based on medical history, clinical symptoms and signs, imaging findings, and laboratory tests and not according to the LRINEC score itself.