Necrotizing Fasciitis Questions & Answers

Updated: Oct 12, 2022
  • Author: Steven A Schulz, MD; Chief Editor: Michael Stuart Bronze, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is necrotizing fasciitis?

What are the most common necrotizing fasciitis syndromes?

What is saltwater necrotizing fasciitis?

Which radiographic finding indicates necrotizing fasciitis?

What are risk factors for necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the incidence of necrotizing fasciitis?

How does the incidence of necrotizing fasciitis vary by sex and age?

How is necrotizing fasciitis identified?

What is the historical background of necrotizing fasciitis?

Which treatments are used for necrotizing fasciitis?

Which pediatric patients are at high risk of developing necrotizing fasciitis?

How does early diagnosis impact the prognosis of necrotizing fasciitis?

What increases the risk of death from necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation (NNFF)?

How is necrotizing fasciitis characterized?

What is the major cause of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the pathogenesis of necrotizing fasciitis?

Which aerobic and anaerobic pathogens may be present in necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of bacteroides fragilis in the pathogenesis of necrotizing fasciitis?

How does necrotizing cellulitis differ from necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of Vibrio vulnificus in the etiology of necrotizing fasciitis?

How do the etiologic organisms spread in necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of M-1 and M-3 surface proteins in the pathogenesis of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of streptococcal pyrogenic in the pathogenesis of necrotizing fasciitis?

Why is the prognosis of necrotizing fasciitis so poor?

What is the role of genetics in the pathogenesis of necrotizing fasciitis?

What are less common causes of necrotizing fasciitis?

What are risk factors for necrotizing fasciitis?

Which patient groups are at higher risk for necrotizing fasciitis?

How much does liver cirrhosis increase the risk for necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of NSAIDS in the etiology of necrotizing fasciitis?

Which types of bacteria cause necrotizing fasciitis?

What is characteristic of type I necrotizing fasciitis?

What is characteristic of type II necrotizing fasciitis?

What is characteristic of type III necrotizing fasciitis?

What are some unusual causes of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the mortality rate for necrotizing fasciitis?

Why does necrotizing fasciitis have a poor prognosis?

Which factors are positive predictors of mortality from necrotizing fasciitis?

What are poor prognostic factors in necrotizing fasciitis?

What are the mean ages of survivors and nonsurvivors of necrotizing fasciitis?

Why does upper extremity necrotizing fasciitis have a high mortality rate?

What are the mortality rates for craniocervical necrotizing fasciitis?

Which factors are associated with poor outcome for necrotizing fasciitis?

How does hospital admission time affect the prognosis of necrotizing fasciitis?

Why do survivors of necrotizing fasciitis have shorter life spans?

What are the goals of the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation (NNFF)?

Presentation

How is necrotizing fasciitis diagnosed?

What is the hallmark symptom of necrotizing fasciitis?

What are the signs and symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis?

Which conditions are frequent comorbidities of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the progression of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the appearance of initial necrosis in necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the progression of necrotizing fasciitis without treatment?

What are the most important physical signs of necrotizing fasciitis?

What are the signs and symptoms of Fournier gangrene in males?

What are the signs and symptoms of Fournier gangrene in females?

What are complications of necrotizing fasciitis?

DDX

What are the differential diagnoses for Necrotizing Fasciitis?

Workup

What is the role of lab testing in the evaluation of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of tissue cultures in the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis?

Which imaging studies are indicated in the evaluation of necrotizing fasciitis?

When is surgery indicated in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of fluid aspiration in the workup of necrotizing fasciitis?

Which imaging studies are most beneficial in the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis?

Which lab findings are characteristic of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the accuracy of the laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis (LRINEC)?

How is the laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis (LRINEC) used?

What is the role of radiography in the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis?

Which sonography findings are characteristic of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of CT scanning for the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of MRI for the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis?

How is the finger test performed for the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis?

What are the characteristic histologic findings of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of deep skin biopsy in the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis?

How is soft tissue infections diagnosed in necrotizing fasciitis?

Which Gram stain findings suggest necrotizing fasciitis?

What are the risk factors for polymicrobial infections in necrotizing fasciitis?

Which histologic findings are characteristic of necrotizing fasciitis?

Treatment

What steps should be taken immediately after a necrotizing fasciitis has been confirmed?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

How is antibiotic therapy used to treat necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of saline in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

Which organizations have published guidelines on the treatment for necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the primary treatment for necrotizing fasciitis?

Which surgical treatment is preferred for necrotizing fasciitis?

How much tissue should initially be excised in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

What should take place after surgical debridement of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the surgical regimen for necrotizing fasciitis?

Why is a powder-free double-glove hole indication system used during the surgical treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

Which antibiotic dressings are used to treat necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of Acticoat barrier dressings in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of soft-tissue reconstruction in the management of necrotizing fasciitis?

How and when should antibiotics be administered for the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

What antibiotic regimens are used in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

Why is clindamycin the antibiotic treatment of choice for necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of broad-spectrum beta-lactam drugs in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

When is vancomycin indicated in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis indicated?

What is the role of IV fluids in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of nutritional support in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

What is the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

Which specialist consultations are needed for the management of necrotizing fasciitis?

Medications

Which medications are used in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis?

Which medications in the drug class Antibiotics are used in the treatment of Necrotizing Fasciitis?