BACKGROUND: The role of diagnostic imaging in suspected necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) is not clear owing to concerns about its value and possible delays in definitive surgical care. METHODS: Plain radiograph (XR) and computed tomography (CT) results of all patients who underwent operative debridement for a presumed NSTI from 2007 through 2014 at LAC + USC Medical Center were reviewed. Preoperative imaging was classified as being negative, suspicious (inflammatory changes), or diagnostic (soft tissue gas) for NSTI. RESULTS: Of 226 patients undergoing operative exploration for a suspected NSTI, 172 (76.1%) were found to have a true NSTI based on intraoperative or pathology findings. In patients with true NSTI, preoperative XR and CT demonstrated soft tissue gas in 47.9% and 70.3% of cases, respectively. CT diagnosed or highly suspected NSTI in 97.3% of cases with true NSTI compared to 83.6% with XR; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CT was superior to XR in the radiologic evaluation of patients with suspected NSTIs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic test, level IV.
BACKGROUND: The role of diagnostic imaging in suspected necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) is not clear owing to concerns about its value and possible delays in definitive surgical care. METHODS: Plain radiograph (XR) and computed tomography (CT) results of all patients who underwent operative debridement for a presumed NSTI from 2007 through 2014 at LAC + USC Medical Center were reviewed. Preoperative imaging was classified as being negative, suspicious (inflammatory changes), or diagnostic (soft tissue gas) for NSTI. RESULTS: Of 226 patients undergoing operative exploration for a suspected NSTI, 172 (76.1%) were found to have a true NSTI based on intraoperative or pathology findings. In patients with true NSTI, preoperative XR and CT demonstrated soft tissue gas in 47.9% and 70.3% of cases, respectively. CT diagnosed or highly suspected NSTI in 97.3% of cases with true NSTI compared to 83.6% with XR; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CT was superior to XR in the radiologic evaluation of patients with suspected NSTIs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic test, level IV.
Authors: David H Ballard; Constantine A Raptis; Jarot Guerra; Laurie Punch; Obeid Ilahi; John P Kirby; Vincent M Mellnick Journal: AJR Am J Roentgenol Date: 2018-08-07 Impact factor: 3.959