Necrotizing perineal fasciitis in two paraplegic nursing-home residents: CT imaging findings

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe infection of the superficial fascia. Earl y recognition and aggressive management are essential to the treatment of t his highly morbid disease. The clinical and physical findings are often the initial clues leading to the correct diagnosis. Computed tomography can pl ay a crucial role in delineating the anatomy, evaluating for the extent of the infection, and for eventual complications. Before the advent of cross-s ectional imaging, the majority of suspected patients underwent extensive su rgical debridement procedures with resultant morbidity and mortality. We pr esent two cases in which computed tomography played a major role in determi ning the need for emergent surgery and conservative management.