title: The value of frozen section biopsy in diagnosing necrotizing fasciitis: proposal of a new grading system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Necrotizing fasciitis is a serious disease entity, with only limited pathognomic features.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In necrotizing fasciitis a rapid diagnosis is necessary in order to reduce morbidity and mortality. In this study the investigation focused on specific features in the frozen section biopsy for diagnosing necrotizing fasciitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of ten patients are described with final pathological examination of resected tissue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A new grading system is suggested for frozen section biopsy in patients with necrotizing fasciitis. In the herein reported study it was found that granulocytes were present in both the frozen section biopsy and in the definitive paraffin coupes, in the subcutis and fascia layer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Frozen section biopsy could be useful in diagnosing necrotizing fasciitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, P.O. box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. s.a.stegeman@lumc.nl
authors.forename: Sylvia A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Stegeman
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nijhuis
authors.forename: A M Gijs
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
authors.forename: Bert A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bonsing
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Steenvoorde
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000473:pathology*; D005629:Frozen Sections / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index