The Cardiovascular
ToolsCalculators

RibScore

Radiographic score predicting pulmonary complications after rib fractures.

RibScore
≥6 rib fractures
Bilateral rib fractures
Flail chest
≥3 severely (bicortical) displaced fractures
First rib fracture
≥1 fracture in each of 3 anatomic zones (anterior, lateral, posterior)
Result0 points

Lower radiographic burden of rib fracture complications.

When to use

  • Predicting pulmonary complications (pneumonia, prolonged ventilation, tracheostomy) from admission chest CT in blunt rib fracture patients.

Formula

1 point each for: ≥6 fractures, bilateral fractures, flail chest, ≥3 bicortical displaced fractures, first rib fracture, fractures in all 3 anatomic zones. Range 0-6.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Age did not add discriminative value when tested and was intentionally excluded from the score.

References

  1. Chapman BC, et al. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016;80(1):95-101.