A 52-year-old man with new rapidly progressive erythema over his thigh presents to the emergency department. The area is exquisitely tender and pain e...

Question

A 52-year-old man with new rapidly progressive erythema over his thigh presents to the emergency department. The area is exquisitely tender and pain extends beyond the visible margin. He is febrile and hypotensive. What clinical feature most strongly suggests necrotising fasciitis rather than uncomplicated cellulitis?

Accepted Answer

Pain out of proportion to physical findings

Answer

Erythema with clear borders

Answer

Mild tenderness over the affected skin

Answer

History of minor trauma 3 days earlier

Answer

Presence of fever

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Necrotising fasciitis