title: Diagnosis of necrotizing faciitis with bedside ultrasound: the STAFF Exam.
abstract: The early diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis is often ambiguous. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, while sensitive and specific modalities, are often time consuming or unavailable. We present a case of necrotizing fasciitis that was rapidly diagnosed using bedside ultrasound evaluating for subcutaneous thickening, air, and fascial fluid (STAFF). We propose the STAFF ultrasound exam may be beneficial in the rapid evaluation of unstable patients with consideration of necrotizing fasciitis, in a similar fashion to the current use of a focused assessment with sonography for trauma exam in the setting of trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Castleberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California.
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jenson
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California ; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California.
authors.forename: Vi Am
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Dinh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin; D006801:Humans; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D013848:Thigh; D014463:Ultrasonography