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Prevalence Clinical features Differential Diagnosis Investigations Therapy Prevention Prognosis

Investigations In unwell patients, consider swabbing any skin breaks, wounds, or ulcers c  In patients with a possibly serious infection, consider c   blood count   urea and electrolytes   If osteomyelitis is a possibility consider a   ESR a bone scan MRI  In suspected cases of necrotising fasciitis, consider:  an X-ray of the affected limb - look for gas in the soft tissues c a frozen biopsy c   1% lidocaine anaesthesia , 2cmx1cm elliptical biopsies - skin and deep soft tissue - of suspected necrotising area and at another area (leading edge of erythema, induration or necrosis) MRI c

Expiry date: January 2004
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