defining characteristics
Initially presents with cellulitis, blood-filled bullae,
ecchymosis, systemic toxicity, elevated CPK
RED FLAGS: severe pain out of proportion w/ skin findings, large bullae, skin necrosis/ecchymosis, wooden hard feel of subq tissue, numbness of skin, systemic toxicity, rapid spread w/ AB tx
disease development
Initial break in skin from trauma or surgery causes advancing infection to fascial and/or muscle compartments
potential causes
GAS, S. aureus, or anaerobic streptococci
epidemiology
Less common in children
risk factors
NSAIDs
Diabetes
Venous insufficiency Completely normal hosts
labimaging
conventional treatment
Extensive debridement, surgery
Monomicrobial – clindamycin + penicillin G
Polymicrobial – Ampicillin, clindamycin, and ciprofloxacin
complications
Usually bacteremic
30-60% mortality
