Necrotizing fasciitis: are tagged-WBC scans underutilized?

Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressing infection of the fascia deep to the skin and superficial to the muscles. This disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality thus requiring prompt recognition and diagnosis. In some cases, diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis can be made by physical exam findings alone; however, imaging modalities such as ultrasound, radiographs, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can aid in making the diagnosis. In this case, the findings on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were nonspecific. However, a tagged white blood cell scan, a nuclear medicine study, assisted in the location of an infection source in the patient, leading to a diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis.