Necrotizing fasciitis is associated with a high mortality rate and should be treated immediately upon identification in the emergency department. Patients may present with different clinical histories and physical exam findings, but it is important that necrotizing fasciitis be ruled out in cases of rapidly progressive soft tissue infections.

Dr. Peña is an emergency medicine resident at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey.

Dr. Bella is an emergency medicine resident at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, New Jersey.

References

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