fasciitis
[fas″e-i´tis] inflammation of a fascia.
necrotizing fasciitis a fulminating group A streptococcal infection beginning with severe or extensive cellulitis that spreads to involve the superficial and deep fascia, producing thrombosis of the subcutaneous vessels and gangrene of the underlying tissues. A cutaneous lesion usually serves as a portal of entry for the infection, but sometimes no such lesion is found.
nodular fasciitis (proliferative fasciitis) a benign, reactive proliferation of fibroblasts in the subcutaneous tissues and commonly associated with the deep fascia.
pseudosarcomatous fasciitis a benign soft tissue tumor occurring subcutaneously and sometimes arising from deep muscle and fascia.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
nec·ro·tiz·ing fas·ci·i·tis
a rare soft-tissue infection primarily involving the superficial fascia and resulting in extensive undermining of surrounding tissues; progress is often fulminant and may involve all soft-tissue components, including the skin; usually occurs postoperatively, after minor trauma, or after inadequate care of abscesses or cutaneous ulcers.
See also:
group A streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis.
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
necrotizing fasciitis
n. Severe, rapidly progressing infection of subcutaneous tissues by streptococci and other bacteria, marked by tissue necrosis and by pain, swelling, and heat in the affected area, usually following an injury or a surgical procedure.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
necrotizing fasciitis
Necrotizing subcutaneous infection Infectious disease A rapidly progressive bacterial infection that spreads along fascial planes which, absent effective therapy–eg, debridement, results in skin breakdown with bleb and bulla formation, small vessel thrombosis and 2º necrosis, leading to subcutaneous anesthesia Agents Streptococci, gram-negative and mixed bacteriaMcGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
necrotizing fasciitis
An uncommon but severe form of tissue damage caused by a streptococcus of Group A. There is widespread inflammation of the layer of fatty tissue under the skin and the effect is so intense that the tissue appears, in places, almost to be ‘eaten away’. The condition features severe pain, marked general upset and intense redness of the overlying skin. Surgical exploration shows grey, swollen fat that can be stripped out easily with the finger. Surgical shock and failure of various organs, such as the kidneys, may occur and the outcome, in inadequately managed or late treated cases is often fatal. Treatment is by massive doses of antibiotics, early radical surgery to remove infected tissue and exposure to high oxygen concentrations in a special chamber (see HYPERBARIC OXYGEN TREATMENT). Inadequate treatment results in a mortality of 30 to 60 per cent.Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005
Necrotizing fasciitis
A destructive infection which follows severe cellulitis and involves the deep skin and underlying tissues.
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.