Paraquat Lung Score
Definition
Radiological scoring system combining chest X-ray infiltrate extent and CT parenchymal changes to predict 30-day mortality in paraquat poisoning. Developed at the Sri Lanka National Hospital and validated in Korean and Indian cohorts. A score above 50 at day 3 post-ingestion predicts near-certain mortality.
- Inputs
- Chest X-ray infiltrate extent and CT changes
- Developed at
- Sri Lanka National Hospital
- Validated in
- Korean and Indian cohorts
- High-risk threshold
- Score above 50 at day 3 post-ingestion
Common questions
Why is a scoring system needed for paraquat poisoning specifically, rather than general poisoning severity scales?+
Paraquat causes a distinctive delayed pattern of pulmonary fibrosis over days after ingestion rather than immediate organ failure, so a score tracking radiological lung changes over that window predicts outcome better than acute severity indices designed for other poisons.
What is the practical use of the score once a patient crosses the high-risk threshold?+
It informs clinical decisions about the intensity of supportive care and honest prognosis discussion with the family, since paraquat lung injury beyond a certain radiological extent has historically shown very limited response to treatment.
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