[Cutaneous infections in the emergency department : the devil in the detail]

Abstract

Skin and soft tissue infections, which are a common cause of admission, are characterized by a clinical polymorphism leading to diagnostic errors. To a certain point, confusion exists between used terms and indicated treatment, especially since the emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.The paucity of cutaneous findings early in the course of deep soft tissue infections makes diagnosis challenging for physicians in charge. Some of these infections are warranted to achieve a lower mortality and morbidity by the administration of effective surgical treatment.