Necrotising soft tissue infections of the perianal and perineal region: Risk factors, diagnosis and treatment

Necrotizing soft tissue infection is a life-threatening condition, characterized by extensive necrosis of skin, subcutaneous, fascia and muscle. 82% of patients exhibit some of the risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, obesity and alcoholism, smoking, immunodeficiency, malnutrition or low socio-economic status. The necrotizing soft tissue infection is initially diagnosed by a clinical examination. The use of imaging, particularly computed tomography, represents a golden standard; the CT exam usually shows the presence fluid collections, abscess, adipose tissue degeneration and subcutaneous emphysema. The treatment of necrotizing soft tissue infection involves surgical debridement, drainage, wide incisions of the affected area, tissue decompression and application of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. Despite existing modern methods of treatment, or the so-called principle of ?source control?, the mortality is still up to 51%. Necrotizing soft tissue infection is a very dangerous infection we should always be aware of, and treat it as early as possible.