Aggressive Soft Tissue Infections.

Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) are characterized by rapidly progressive infection that causes tissue necrosis with associated sepsis and multisystem organ failure. A rapid diagnosis is essential to decreasing the morbidity and mortality of NSTIs. There must be a high index of suspicion based on history and physical examination. There are no adjunct laboratory values or imaging that have high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of NSTI. The treatment involves emergent, radical surgical debridement of involved tissues and broad spectrum antibiotics. Follow-up should include close monitoring of the wound and repeat debridements in the operating room.