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DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1293495
Tropical Pyomyositis and Necrotizing Fasciitis
Publication History
Publication Date:
11 November 2011 (online)

ABSTRACT
Pyomyositis is a purulent infection of skeletal muscle that arises from hematogenous spread, usually with abscess formation. Necrotizing fasciitis is a more severe, rapidly progressive infection involving the superficial and deep fascia with necrosis and fluid collections that can be life threatening if left untreated. Both conditions may coexist, and concomitant cellulitis is often seen. A high incidence of these diseases occurs in the tropics, but they are increasingly being seen in temperate countries, due in part to their association with immunodeficiency conditions such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, diabetes mellitus, and organ transplantation. This article aims to familiarize physicians with these entities, review their clinical manifestations and imaging features, and highlight the role of imaging in the management of patients with these conditions.
KEYWORDS
Infectious myositis - muscle infections - necrotizing fasciitis - necrotizing soft tissue infections - pyomyositis - tropical pyomyositis
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Wilfred C.G. PehM.D.
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
Alexandra Health, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore 768828, Republic of Singapore
Email: wilfred.peh@gmail.com