The Relationship Between Fluid Accumulation in Ultrasonography and the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Patients with Necrotizing Fasciitis

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe soft-tissue infection with a high mortality rate. There is little literature on the relationship between the ultrasonographic finding of fluid accumulation along the deep fascia and the diagnosis and prognosis of necrotizing fasciitis. This retrospective study showed that when fluid accumulation was present along the deep fascia, patients with clinically suspected necrotizing fasciitis had a higher probability of having necrotizing fasciitis. The ultrasonographic finding of fluid accumulation with a cutoff point of more than 2 mm of depth had the best accuracy (72.7%) for diagnosing necrotizing fasciitis. In regard to the prognosis of necrotizing fasciitis, when fluid accumulation was present along the deep fascia, patients with necrotizing fasciitis had a longer length of hospital stay and were at risk of amputation or mortality. Ultrasonography is a point-of-care imaging tool that facilitates the diagnosis and prognosis of necrotizing fasciitis.     

Ultrasonographic Screening of Clinically-suspected Necrotizing Fasciitis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. METHODS: This study was a prospective observational review of patients with clinically-suspected necrotizing fasciitis presenting to the emergency department of an urban (Taipei) medical center between October 1996 and May 1998. All patients underwent ultrasonographic examination, with the ultrasonographic diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis based on the criterion of a diffuse thickening of the subcutaneous tissue accompanied by a layer of fluid accumulation more than 4 millimeters in depth along the deep fascial layer, when compared with the contralateral position on the corresponding normal limb. The final diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis was determined by pathological findings for patients who underwent fasciotomy or biopsy results for patients managed nonoperatively. RESULTS: Data were collected for 62 patients, of whom 17 (27.4%) were considered to suffer from necrotizing fasciitis. Ultrasonography revealed a sensitivity of 88.2%, a specificity of 93.3%, a positive predictive value of 83.3%, a negative predictive value of 95.4%, and an accuracy of 91.9% as regards the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography can provide accurate information for emergency physicians for the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis.     

Necrotizing fasciitis: early sonographic diagnosis

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare, but potentially fatal bacterial infection of the soft tissues. Establishing the diagnosis at the early stages of the disease remains the greatest challenge. We report a case of necrotizing fasciitis involving the upper extremity. Sonography revealed subcutaneous emphysema spreading along the deep fascia, swelling, and increased echogenicity of the overlying fatty tissue with interlacing fluid collections. The patient responded well to early surgical debridement and parenteral antibiotics.     

Modern Concepts of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Necrotizing Fasciitis

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis is a potentially fatal infection involving rapidly progressive, widespread necrosis of the superficial fascia. Objectives: The purpose of this collective review is to review modern concepts of the treatment and diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. Discussion: Necrotizing fasciitis is characterized by widespread necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue and the fascia. Although the pathogenesis of necrotizing fasciitis is still open to speculation, the rapid and destructive clinical course of necrotizing fasciitis is thought to be due to multibacterial symbiosis. During the last two decades, scientists have found that the pathogenesis of necrotizing fasciitis is usually polymicrobial, rather than monomicrobial. Although there has been no published well-controlled, clinical trial comparing the efficacies of various diagnostic imaging modalities in the diagnosis of necrotizing infections, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred technique to detect soft tissue infection. MRI provides unsurpassed soft tissue contrast and spatial resolution, has high sensitivity in detecting soft tissue fluid, and has multiplanar capabilities. Percutaneous needle aspiration followed by prompt Gram's staining and culture for a rapid bacteriologic diagnosis in soft tissue infections is recommended. Surgery complemented by antibiotics is the primary treatment of necrotizing fasciitis. Conclusion: Wide, extensive debridement of all tissues that can be easily elevated off the fascia with gentle pressure should be undertaken. Successful use of intravenous immunoglobulin has been reported in the treatment of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The use of adjunctive therapies, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, for necrotizing fasciitis infection continues to receive much attention.     

Necrotizing fasciitis of cryptoglandular infection treated with multiple incisions and thread-dragging therapy: A case report

BACKGROUNDNecrotizing fasciitis is a fulminant necrotizing soft tissue disease with a high fatality rate. It always starts with impact on the deep fascia rapidly and might result in secondary necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and muscle. Thus, timely and multiple surgical operations are needed for the treatment. Meanwhile, the damage of skin and soft tissue caused by multiple surgical operations may require dermatoplasty and other treatments as a consequence. CASE SUMMARYHere, we report a case of 50-year-old male patient who was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis caused by cryptoglandular infection in the perianal and perineal region. The symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis, also known as the cardinal features, include hyperpyrexia, excruciatingly painful lesions, demonstration gas in the tissue, an obnoxious foul odor and uroschesis. The results of postoperative pathology met the diagnosis. Based on the premise of complete debridement, multiple incisions combined with thread-dragging therapy (a traditional Chinese medicine therapy) and intensive supportive therapies including comprising antibiotics, nutrition and fluids were given. The outcome of the treatment was satisfactory. The patient recovered quickly and achieved ideal anal function and morphology. CONCLUSIONTimely and effective debridement and multiple incisions combined with thread-dragging therapy are an integrated treatment for necrotizing fasciitis.     

Burn center management of necrotizing fasciitis

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive soft-tissue infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Necrotizing fasciitis is similar to invasive burn wound infection in that diagnosis requires histologic examination of affected tissue and treatment requires aggressive surgical debridement followed by skin autograft. Transfer to a burn center facilitates the management of necrotizing fasciitis, where requisite surgical and nursing expertise is available. We reviewed the experience of one burn center in the management of necrotizing fasciitis over a 5-year period. Ten patients were transferred to the burn center from other medical facilities for care, arriving a mean of 8.9 days after initial hospital admission. The diagnosis was made by a surgical service or consultation before transfer in all cases; initial admission to a medical rather than a surgical service delayed surgery in five cases. All patients had surgical debridement before transfer but required a mean of 5.1 additional operations at the burn center. Although the mean extent of involvement was 14.8% body surface area, the mean length of burn center stay was 34.9 days. Complications were frequent, including pulmonary failure requiring mechanical ventilation (n = 6), renal insufficiency or failure (n = 5), hypotension requiring pressers (n = 4), deep venous thrombosis (n = 3), and pulmonary emboli (n = 1). Overall mortality was 2 of 10 patients (20%). Both fatalities were associated with delay in initial surgical procedure and in transfer to the burn center. The similarity of necrotizing fasciitis and invasive burn wound infection makes the burn center the ideal setting for the treatment of this disease. We advocate the addition of necrotizing fasciitis to the list of conditions currently recognized by the American Burn Association as appropriate for burn center transfer and care.     

胆道术后肠瘘胆瘘合并坏死性筋膜炎患者的护理

目的总结胆道术后十二指肠瘘、胆瘘合并右侧胸腹壁坏死性筋膜炎患者的护理方法。方法回顾性分析2012年3月在扬州大学临床医学院普外科治疗的1例胆道术后肠瘘、胆瘘合并坏死性筋膜炎患者的临床资料,并总结其护理措施。结果经治疗,患者恢复全肠内营养,好转出院。结论早期清除坏死性筋膜炎创面,并密切观察创面情况,实施有针对性地护理,能有效促进营养物质的吸收、坏死性筋膜炎的恢复和瘘口的愈合。     

The LRINEC (Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis) score: a tool for distinguishing necrotizing fasciitis from other soft tissue infections

OBJECTIVE: Early operative debridement is a major determinant of outcome in necrotizing fasciitis. However, early recognition is difficult clinically. We aimed to develop a novel diagnostic scoring system for distinguishing necrotizing fasciitis from other soft tissue infections based on laboratory tests routinely performed for the evaluation of severe soft tissue infections: the Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study of patients divided into a developmental cohort (n = 314) and validation cohort (n = 140) SETTING: Two teaching tertiary care hospitals. PATIENTS: One hundred forty-five patients with necrotizing fasciitis and 309 patients with severe cellulitis or abscesses admitted to the participating hospitals. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The developmental cohort consisted of 89 consecutive patients admitted for necrotizing fasciitis. Control patients (n = 225) were randomly selected from patients admitted with severe cellulitis or abscesses during the same period. Hematologic and biochemical results done on admission were converted into categorical variables for analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to select significant predictors. Total white cell count, hemoglobin, sodium, glucose, serum creatinine, and C-reactive protein were selected. The LRINEC score was constructed by converting into integer the regression coefficients of independently predictive factors in the multiple logistic regression model for diagnosing necrotizing fasciitis. The cutoff value for the LRINEC score was 6 points with a positive predictive value of 92.0% and negative predictive value of 96.0%. Model performance was very good (Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic, p =.910); area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.980 and 0.976 in the developmental and validation cohorts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The LRINEC score is a robust score capable of detecting even clinically early cases of necrotizing fasciitis. The variables used are routinely measured to assess severe soft tissue infections. Patients with a LRINEC score of > or = 6 should be carefully evaluated for the presence of necrotizing fasciitis.     

负压封闭引流技术治疗糖尿病并发坏死性筋膜炎的护理

目的探讨应用负压封闭引流技术(vacuum sealing drainage,VSD)治疗糖尿病并发坏死性筋膜炎的护理。方法对我科收治的13例2型糖尿病并发坏死性筋膜炎患者应用VSD治疗,探讨应用VSD治疗2型糖尿病并发坏死性筋膜炎患者的护理对策及其方法。结果 VSD治疗坏死性筋膜炎创面有较好的效果,可以促进创面肉芽组织生长,防止创面感染加重,减轻创面渗出,创面一期手术植皮均成活。12例患者创面全部愈合后出院;1例患者因坏死性筋膜炎创面较大,治疗过程中因并发大面积脑梗死而病死。结论 VSD治疗糖尿病并发坏死性筋膜炎患者的效果较好,值得推广。     

Group A Streptococcal Necrotizing Fasciitis in the Emergency Department

Background

Group A Streptococcal (GAS) necrotizing fasciitis is a critical emergency. Patients with necrotizing fasciitis principally present to emergency departments (EDs), but most studies are focused on hospitalized patients.

Objective

An ED patient-based retrospective study was conducted to investigate the clinical characteristics, associated factors, and outcomes of GAS necrotizing fasciitis in the ED.

Methods

Patients visiting the ED from January 2005 through December 2011 with the diagnosis of GAS necrotizing fasciitis were enrolled. All patients with the diagnosis of noninvasive skin and soft-tissue infections caused by GAS were included as the control group.

Results

During the study period, 75 patients with GAS necrotizing fasciitis were identified. Males accounted for 84% of patients. The most prevalent underlying disease was diabetes mellitus (45.3%). Bullae were recognized in 37.3% of patients. One third of cases were complicated by bacteremia. Polymicrobial infections were found in 30.7% of patients. Overall mortality rate for GAS necrotizing fasciitis was 16%. Patients aged >60 years with diabetes mellitus, liver cirrhosis, and gout were considerably more likely to have GAS necrotizing fasciitis than noninvasive infections. Patients presenting with bacteremia, shock, duration of symptoms/signs <5 days, low white blood cell count, low platelet count, and prolonged prothrombin time were associated with increased mortality. Surgery is a significantly negative factor for mortality of patients with GAS necrotizing fasciitis (odds ratio = 0.16; 95% confidence interval 0.002−0.16; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

A better understanding of the associated factors and initiation of adequate treatments will allow for improved survival after GAS necrotizing fasciitis.     

Necrotizing fasciitis of the upper extremity resulting from a water moccasin bite

Aeromonas hydrophila infection has been described as the cause of necrotizing fasciitis in patients with suppressed immune systems, burns, or trauma in an aquatic setting. We report a case in which severe necrotizing fasciitis involving hand, arm, chest, and lateral side of trunk, along with toxic shock, developed after the patient was bitten by a venomous snake. Mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including A hydrophila, were isolated from the wound culture. The patient was treated with antivenom, a diuretic regimen, broad spectrum antibiotics, and 18 separate surgical procedures. After the application of skin grafts, the wound completely healed. This case illustrates that a venomous snakebite may result in infection with A hydrophila and can cause severe necrotizing fasciitis. Early and aggressive surgical intervention should be implemented as soon as the necrotizing fasciitis is diagnosed.     

A case of necrotizing fasciitis caused by coagulase-negative staphylococcus: utility of magnetic resonance imaging for the preoperative diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis

A 70-year-old woman presented with fever and pain in the right lower extremity. Fat-suppressed gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed contrast-enhanced fascia, fluid accumulation, and hypointense signals in the muscles. Surgical interventions including incisions and insertion of drainage tubes were performed on the basis of the MRI findings. The histopathological examinations of surgically obtained biopsy specimens demonstrated suppurative fasciitis, widespread myonecrosis, and thromboses of the vessels, all of which were compatible with a diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. The bacterial cultures were positive for a coagulase-negative staphylococcus. Following the surgical interventions, the patient was successfully treated by aggressive antimicrobial therapy. MRI can thus be useful for differentiating necrotizing fasciitis from nonnecrotizing soft tissue infection and for planning the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis.     

Rapidly progressive septic shock,associated with necrotizing fasciitis

A case is presented of a 59-year-old male with rapidly progressive septic shock and necrotizing fasciitis. The patient was admitted in shock with an extensive skin lesion on the anterior chest wall. The history was relatively short and there was only a questionable history of preceding trauma. Necrotizing fasciitis was suspected from the appearance of the lesion. Antibiotics and anti-shock therapy were given but despite this, his condition deteriorated and he died from septic shock. At autopsy, the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis was confirmed. The importance of rapid diagnosis and primary surgical therapy is emphasized.     

Necrotizing fasciitis: a dramatic surgical emergency.

OBJECTIVES: Necrotizing fasciitis is a challenging and potentially lethal disease; early diagnosis is of paramount importance and aggressive multidisciplinary treatment is mandatory. Overall mortality rates of 33-73% have been reported. The aim of this study was to report the experience with necrotizing fasciitis of an emergency surgery department. METHODS: From October 1995 to December 2001 we observed 11 cases of necrotizing fasciitis. The patients were five men and six women, with ages ranging from 33 to 80 years. RESULTS: Triggering aetiological factors were found in eight cases. In all patients a multidisciplinary approach was utilized. Every patient had a daily surgical debridement of the necrotic areas in the operating room. Polyantibiotic therapy was performed, and was changed according to culture results. After surgery, nine patients were submitted to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Seven deaths (63.6%) were observed: two cases of pulmonary embolism and five cases of septic shock. Four patients survived; three had a complete recovery with progressive healing of the wounds, whereas one patient had severe impairment of the motility of the affected hand. The mean interval between the onset of symptoms and hospital admission was 5.4 days; for patients who ultimately died it was 7.3 days, whereas for patients who ultimately survived it was 2 days (P<0.05); moreover these patients were significantly younger than those who died (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The treatment for necrotizing fasciitis is a combination of surgical debridement, appropriate antibiotics and optimal oxygenation of the infected tissues. However, the mortality for this disease is quite high, and is related to late diagnosis and advanced age. Necrotizing fasciitis must be considered a true dramatic surgical emergency.     

Deep fascial space infection of the neck: a continuing challenge

We present our clinical experience with two complex cases of deep fascial space infections of the neck. The first was a case of cervical necrotizing fasciitis involving the submental space. The second was an infection beginning at the soft palate and extending to the anterior mediastinum. Both infections emanated from an oral source in patients with diabetes mellitus, and both patients required multiple surgical debridements and endotracheal intubation for airway protection. Despite the declining incidence of deep space neck infections, our cases illustrate the challenging diagnostic and treatment dilemmas for the clinician managing patients with diabetes.     

Necrotizing fasciitis due to appendicitis.

Necrotizing fasciitis, although rare, is one of the more serious, life-threatening complications of missed acute appendicitis. Patients who are predisposed to developing necrotizing fasciitis, regardless of the cause, are typically immunocompromised. We present a case of a 49-year-old immunocompetent female whose diagnosis of acute appendicitis was missed and who subsequently developed necrotizing fasciitis of the abdominal wall and flank. She recovered 1 month after admission due to aggressive surgical and medical therapy.     

Dermatologic emergencies

Life-threatening dermatologic conditions include Rocky Mountain spotted fever; necrotizing fasciitis; toxic epidermal necrolysis; and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the most common rickettsial disease in the United States, with an overall mortality rate of 5 to 10 percent. Classic symptoms include fever, headache, and rash in a patient with a history of tick bite or exposure. Doxycycline is the first-line treatment. Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive infection of the deep fascia, with necrosis of the subcutaneous tissues. It usually occurs after surgery or trauma. Patients have erythema and pain out of proportion to the physical findings. Immediate surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy should be initiated. Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are acute hypersensitivity cutaneous reactions. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is characterized by target lesions with central dusky purpura or a central bulla. Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a more severe reaction with full-thickness epidermal necrosis and exfoliation. Most cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are drug induced. The causative drug should be discontinued immediately, and the patient should be hospitalized for supportive care.     

Usefulness of computerized tomography in evaluating necrotizing fasciitis

A 54-year-old man was seen with what appeared to be cellulitis of the left lower extremity. Roentgenograms showed no evidence of gas in soft tissues. Two days later films revealed gas in soft tissues of the leg, but not in the thigh. Computerized tomography showed pockets of gas in the lateral fascial planes of both leg and thigh. Surgical exploration revealed extensive necrotizing fasciitis. CT scanning provided a much more accurate picture of the extent of infection than did standard radiographs.     

Diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis in children.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but progressive soft tissue infection. This condition is difficult to recognize in the early phase, when it is often confused with cellulitis. We report the cases of four children with necrotizing fasciitis. The initial presentation in these cases was cellulitis. Fever and soft tissue swelling occurred within 24 h and spreading erythema within 4 to 12 h. Radiologic studies of the lesions showed soft tissue thickening. Ultrasonography of the lesions demonstrated distorted, thickened fascia with fluid accumulation. Well-defined, loculated abscesses were demonstrated in two cases. Although typical dusky skin and purplish patches were not found in our cases, necrotizing fasciitis was strongly suspected on the basis of the clinical course and sonographic findings. Ultrasonography also was used as a guide for aspiration of pus. Gram-stained smears and bacterial cultures yielded the pathogens. The choice of antibiotic therapy was made on the results of smears and culture. All patients survived after immediate surgical debridement, intensive antibiotic therapy, and aggressive wound care. In conclusion, ultrasonography provides a rapid and valuable diagnostic modality for necrotizing fasciitis. The pus obtained through sonographically guided aspiration for bacterial culture can allow identification of the pathogenic organisms.     

An unusual complication of missed appendicitis

A case of necrotizing fasciitis complicating missed appendicitis with perforation and abscess formation in a 63-year-old diabetic is presented. The case emphasizes the importance of thorough, conservative evaluation and management in elderly diabetic patients. The ED management of patients with necrotizing fasciitis is also briefly reviewed.