Necrotizing Fasciitis

Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis is an uncommon disease of soft tissue infection with mild clinical appearance. As a result of its rarity and minimal early symptomatology, late diagnosis is a common problem. This disease has high morbidity and mortality, moreover medical professions should keep in mind of necrotizing fasciitis when dealing with patients with soft tissue infection. Recently, many studies try to achieve early diagnosis with laboratory tests but the results can only support the clinical diagnosis and indicate the severity of the disease. In this article, we review the general knowledge of the disease, laboratory abnormalities as well as the latest development on the subject. We hope that this review impress the readers, when encounter patient with soft tissue infection, to remember necrotizing fasciitis as one of the differential diagnosis.

Key words: Necrotizing fasciitis, Soft tissue infection, Cellulitis