Fast Five Quiz: Cellulitis Key Aspects

A directed history is vital to the proper care of a patient with cellulitis. The patient may or may not relate an episode of trauma that preceded symptoms; when cellulitis develops, it is usually several days after the inciting trauma. Rapid progression or significant pain is a concerning sign that may indicate a severe problem, such as necrotizing fasciitis, which should be promptly managed.

The surgical history may include a recent procedure that resulted in wound infection. For example, severe bacterial cellulitis may occur as a postsurgical complication after hip replacement or liposuction. Alternatively, a remote surgical history involving lymph node dissection (eg, after either radical mastectomy or conservative breast surgery) may predispose to cellulitis, even years after the surgery, because of lymphatic occlusion. Impaired lymphatic drainage and edema are also considered predisposing factors to leg cellulitis, after saphenous vein resection for coronary artery bypass.

The physical examination should first focus on the area of concern. Nonpurulent cellulitis is associated with four cardinal signs of infection: erythema, pain, swelling, and warmth. Several physical examination findings may help the clinician identify the most likely pathogen and assess the severity of the infection, thereby facilitating appropriate treatment. Those findings include the following:

The involved site is red, hot, swollen, and tender.
Unlike erysipelas, the borders are not elevated or sharply demarcated.
The involved site is the leg, which is the most common site.
Regional lymphadenopathy is present.
Malaise, chills, fever, and toxicity are present.

Lymphangitic spread (red lines streaking away from the area of infection), crepitus, and hemodynamic instability are indications of severe infection, requiring more aggressive treatment. Circumferential cellulitis or pain that is disproportional to examination findings should prompt consideration of severe soft-tissue infection, such as necrotizing fasciitis.

Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: Michael Stuart Bronze. Fast Five Quiz: Cellulitis Key Aspects - Medscape - Jan 23, 2020.

Commenting is limited to medical professionals. To comment please Log-in.

Comments on Medscape are moderated and should be professional in tone and on topic. You must declare any conflicts of interest related to your comments and responses. Please see our Commenting Guide for further information. We reserve the right to remove posts at our sole discretion.