Can other cutaneous infections look like necrotizing fasciitis? Actually, necrotizing fasciitis is a type of infectious gangrene or cellulitis that rapidly progresses to destroy skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle. There are other types of gangrene, all of which have cutaneous findings similar to those of necrotizing fasciitis: - Staphylococcus aureus and, occasionally, gram-negative organisms can cause progressive bacterial synergistic gangrene. This disease presents with a dusky erythematous discoloration of the skin followed by deep ulceration.
- In gas gangrene or clostridial gangrene, caused by the anaerobe Clostridium perfringens, patients typically present after a penetrating or crush wound with a tender, painful, edematous, white area that often becomes bronze with cutaneous blistering. Occasionally, when one palpates the area, crepitation or a crackling sensation is noted secondary to gas formation in the tissue. As with necrotizing fasciitis, timely diagnosis and treatment are necessary to minimize morbidity and mortality.
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