Improving diagnostic accuracy in assessing pulmonary edema on bedside chest radiographs using a standardized scoring approach

Table 1 Radiologic scoring of pulmonary edema on bedside chest radiographs

Variables		Score
Variables		Mild	Moderate	Severe
Hilar vessels	Enlarged	1	2	3
	Increased in density	2	4	6
	Blurred	3	6	9
Kerley B lines		4	-	8
Micronoduli		4	-	8
Widening of interlobular fissure		4	8	12
Peribronchial and perivascular cuffs		4	8	12
Extensive perihilar haze		5	10	15
Diffuse increase in density		5	10	15

The score assigned to each variable depends on the severity of involvement (missing = 0 points, mild, moderate and severe). During the score-based approach a total score > 15 was rated as pulmonary edema, whereas a score ≤ 15 was rated as no pulmonary edema. The variables and scores were previously validated [1, 13, 28, 29].

ISSN: 1471-2253