Eighty-five consecutive cases of cellulitis: clinical features, management and implications for hospital care

Abstract

Objectives: To determine lessons learned from a consecutive series of patients admitted with cellulitis, regarding factors leading to admission, management and duration of hospitalization. Methods: Prospective data over a 12-month period within a district general hospital. Centralized admitting policy of all patients with a principle diagnosis of cellulitis under the vascular surgical department. Data comparison of younger patients vs older and of those hospitalized for less than one week vs more than one week. Results: Of 85 patients admitted, 44 had previous oedema and 50 had a skin lesion as a portal for entry of infection; only nine had neither prior to the attack. Thirty-two had had at least one previous attack of cellulitis. Younger patients tended to have a more virulent systemic infection whereas older patients had more comorbidity and social problems. Fourteen patients required surgical intervention: eight had arterial and six had venous contributory circulatory disorders. Microbiological information was of minimal practical value. Surgical intervention and social problems were associated with delayed discharge. Conclusions: The majority of patients with cellulitis had predisposing oedema/skin lesions and where these persisted or recurrent infection occurred long-term antibiotic prophylaxis may have been useful. Social problems and comorbidity remained complicating factors but more patients could probably have been managed in a domiciliary setting.

Lymphatic abnormalities demonstrated by lymphoscintigraphy after lower limb cellulitis

“…Cellulitis is an acute inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues commonly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus and is a common reason for hospital admission 1–3 …”

“…Cellulitis is an acute inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues commonly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus and is a common reason for hospital admission. [1][2][3] Lymphoedema is a chronic condition characterized by swelling of one or more limbs or other parts of the body due to a defect in lymph transport. Disturbances in lymph drainage are associated with a localized impairment in host response to infection.…”

Dermatology within the UK podiatric literature: a content analysis (1989‐2010)

“…Physicians and other healthcare professionals published 14 and 7 dermatology related articles respectively in the journal. The majority of physician authored articles were reprints from other medical journals (n = 9) [149][150][151][152][153][154][155][156][157]. The reasons for this are unclear.…”