Accuracy of point‑of‑care ultrasonography in the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis: A case report

Cardona‑Castro,Wesley; Zuluaga‑Gómez,Mateo; González‑Arroyave,Daniel; Ardila,Carlos Martín

doi:10.3892/br.2022.1581

December-2022 Volume 17 Issue 6

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December-2022 Volume 17 Issue 6

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Case Report

Accuracy of point‑of‑care ultrasonography in the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis: A case report

Authors:
- Wesley Cardona‑Castro
- Mateo Zuluaga‑Gómez
- Daniel González‑Arroyave
- Carlos Martín Ardila
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Affiliations: Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, UdeA, Medellín, Antioquia 050010, Colombia, Department of Medicine, San Vicente Fundación Hospital, Rionegro, Antioquia 054047, Colombia, Department of Basic Studies, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Antioquia, UdeA, Medellín, Antioquia 050010, Colombia
Article Number: 98
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Published online on: October 26, 2022

https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2022.1581
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Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis is a serious infectious condition that may compromise the patient's life. In the present case study, a 42‑year‑old male patient was reported. The condition manifested as the presence of subjective fever, general malaise, myalgia, non‑productive cough, dysphagia and neck pain ~1 week prior to hospital admission. Vascular dissection was considered as the initial diagnostic suspicion, and thus, angiotomography of neck vessels was performed, ruling out aortic and neck vessel dissection. Radiology indicated negativity for aortic syndrome and cervical vascular disease, but the presence of cervical‑mediastinal edema, lamellar fluid between muscular and fatty planes and posterior pulmonary atelectasis, absence of pleural fluid or consolidations, and tonsillar hypertrophy without abscesses. Due to the rapid evolution of the condition, the presence of dyspnea with the need for supplemental oxygen, and the disproportion between the intensity of the pain described by the patient and the external findings observed, the presence of necrotizing fasciitis was considered. Point‑of‑care ultrasonography was performed, indicating a cobblestone pattern of the subcutaneous cellular tissue, with diffuse thickening of the anterior cervical fascia and increased echogenicity with soft tissue edema posterior to the fascia. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the inflammatory findings in the fascia and other cervical soft tissues, without exhibiting any signs of necrosis, but with the presence of abscesses in the visceral and carotid space.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Accuracy of point‑of‑care ultrasonography in the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis: A case report

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