Imaging of Cellulitis, Necrotizing Fasciitis, Soft Tissue Abscess and Pyomyositis
摘要
Soft tissue infections range from localized or diffuse cellulitis to the time-sensitive necrotizing fasciitis, soft tissue abscess, and pyomyositis. They can occur in isolation or in tandem with an adjacent localized or systemic infection. Timely and appropriate imaging is essential for accurate diagnosis and management. Imaging methods include radiography, ultrasound imaging, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, each with its own advantages and findings; their applications are dependent on the type of soft tissue infection, their location and depth, as well as urgency. Imaging signs can be subtle in the early stages of the disease, becoming more evident and specific with established or progressive infection. The ability to recognize soft tissue infections from a long and varied range of differential diagnoses is affected by multiple factors, including imaging techniques and disease location. Treatment options are shaped by the location and type of infection and the need for urgent management. This chapter aims to provide valuable information on the imaging facets of soft tissue infections, allowing for accuracy in diagnosis and management.