Roentgenographic Studies in Necrotizing Fasciitis

To the Editor.— Fisher et al (241:803, 1979) recently drew attention to the importance of roentgenographic studies in the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. We would like to add an additional report to their series. Report of a Case.— A 78-year-old woman was admitted to the Victoria General Hospital because of dyspnea and chest discomfort. She cited a three-week history of "flu," characterized by dull pain in both hips, knees, and calves. She denied any localized pain and had had no fever or chills reported by the staff of the nursing home where she lived. The patient was not diabetic. Physical examination showed an extremely obese lady in mild respiratory distress. Pulse rate was 100 beats per minute, with a temperature of 37 °C. Pedal pulses were absent. There was notable intertrigo in both groin areas, under the breasts, and beneath the abdominal pannus. Calf and thigh measurements were equal bilaterally.