Necrotizing Fasciitis (Flesh-Eating Bacteria): Exams And Tests

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Exams and Tests

Usually, by the time a person with necrotizing fasciitis sees a doctor, the illness has rapidly become worse and the person is very sick. Treatment to stabilize the person—by treating shock or organ failure—is usually needed before any test results are available.

Tests used to evaluate a person with possible necrotizing fasciitis may include:

• Routine blood tests, such as complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and C-reactive protein.
• Skin and wound cultures, which are often obtained during surgery, to determine what kind of bacteria are causing the infection. Fluid and material from the wound can be stained with special chemicals or dyes to help rapidly identify the type of bacteria.
• Chest X-ray, to look for signs of lung damage (respiratory distress syndrome).
• Other X-rays, to check for gas or fluid buildup caused by the infection.

A CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is sometimes done when the diagnosis is uncertain or to help determine the depth of the infection.

If necrotizing fasciitis is suspected, surgical removal of the infected tissue is usually necessary both to confirm the diagnosis and to stop the spread of infection.

The person may need other tests, depending on how the illness has developed and what problems it has caused.

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Last updated:	November 01, 2005
Author:	Colleen Cronin
Reviewed By:	Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine, Dennis L. Stevens, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Lisa Shaw