Usefulness of the Modified LRINEC Score in the Treatment of Patient with Deep Neck Infection / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Deep neck infection can occur at any age and is a potentially life-threatening diseases. However, an early recognition of aggravating infections is clinically difficult. In this study, we aimed to determine the Modified Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (M-LRINEC) scores to predict aggravating deep neck infections. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively analyzed 72 patients with deep neck infection from January 2010 and December 2012 in a tertiary hospital. Differences in patient characteristics, radiographic findings, LRINEC scores, and M-LRINE scores were compared between the non-surgical group and the surgical group. RESULTS: The mean M-LRINEC scores were 4.35 and 1.39 in the surgical group and non-surgical group, respectively. Significant differences between the two groups were found in age, size of abscess, multiple spaces involvement, air collection, and mediastinitis. CONCLUSION: The M-LRINEC score is an useful indicator that signals the need to initiate early surgery and also to predict aggravating deep neck infections.