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Objective criteria may assist in distinguishing necrotizing fasciitis from nonnecrotizing soft tissue infection

2000; Elsevier BV; Volume: 179; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0002-9610(99)00259-7

1879-1883

Derek B. Wall, Christian de Virgilio, Susan Black, Stanley R. Klein,

Streptococcal Infections and Treatments

Optimal treatment of necrotizing fasciitis (NF) requires rapid diagnosis. The purpose of the study was to identify objective admission measurements that help differentiate NF from nonnecrotizing (non-NF) infection and, among NF patients, to identify admission factors that predict mortality.Twenty-one NF cases were paired with matched non-NF controls. Statistical comparison of admission vital signs, laboratory values, and radiographic studies was performed.On multivariate analysis, admission white blood cell count (WBC) >14 x 10(9)/L, serum sodium 15 mg/dL separated NF from non-NF patients. Mortality for NF patients was predicted by admission WBC >30 x 10(9)/L. Mortality was also significantly increased for patients transferred from an outside institution prior to definitive therapy.Objective admission criteria (elevated WBC and BUN and decreased serum sodium) can assist in distinguishing NF from non-NF infections. The best objective predictor of mortality in NF patients is marked elevation of admission WBC.