Necrotizing Fascitis

Q: In necrotizing fasciitis? (select one)

 A) anesthesia precedes the skin necrosis
 B) skin necrosis precedes the anesthesia 


Answer: A

Necrotizing fasciitis can be deadly with a late diagnosis. History and physical exam provide vital clues. In susceptible cases, if anesthesia precedes the appearance of skin necrosis, it should be treated as necrotizing fasciitis, proved otherwise.

#infectiousdiseases
#physicalexam



Reference: 

Schwartz MN, Pasternack MS. Cellulitis and subcutaneous tissue infections. In: Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 6th ed, Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R (Eds), Churchill Livingstone, Philadelphia 2005. p.1172.