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Previous Volume 350:904-912 February 26, 2004 Number 9 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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This Journal feature begins with a case vignette highlighting a common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategies is then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines, when they exist. The article ends with the author's clinical recommendations.

An otherwise healthy 40-year-old man felt feverish and noted pain and redness over the dorsum of his foot. Tender edema and erythema extended up the pretibial area. Fissures were present between the toes. What diagnostic procedures and treatment are indicated?

The Clinical Problem

Cellulitis is an acute, spreading pyogenic inflammation of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, usually complicating a wound, ulcer, or dermatosis. The area, . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Anatomical Features

Types of Exposure That Predispose Patients to Cellulitis

Unusual Manifestations of Cellulitis

Initiating Sources of Infection

Differential Diagnosis

Strategies and Evidence

Diagnostic Studies

            Cultures of Aspirates and Lesions

            Blood Cultures

            Radiology

Antimicrobial Treatment

Ancillary Measures

Areas of Uncertainty

Guidelines

Summary and Recommendations

Source Information

From the Division of Infectious Disease and the Jackson Firm, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Swartz at the Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, or at mswartz@partners.org.

Related Letters:

Cellulitis
Dominguez S. R., Marcinak J. F., Daum R. S., Goodman E. L., Chang H. R., Swartz M. N.
Extract | Full Text | PDF  
N Engl J Med 2004; 350:2522-2524, Jun 10, 2004. Correspondence

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