Table 2: Main local physical-clinical findings in 24 patients with NSTI/NF.

Late findings – Group I patients

Early findings – Group II patients
  • Severe pain or local anaesthesia
  • Rapid progression of erythema, edema (tenderness), pain
  • Blistering- hemorrhagic bullae
  • Foul odor
  • Purulent collection or brownish-tan “dishwater” drainage (sinuses)
  • Skin sloughing/necrosis
  • Crepitus (12 patients)
  • SIRS                           - 9 patients
  • Sepsis and/or MODS  - 9 patients

         * LRINEC score ≥6             - 6 patients

                                    >8              - 12 patients
  • Pain (disproportional), fever
  • Erythema, skin bronzing- discoloration
  • Local warmth (hyperthermia)
  • Tense edema beyond area of erythema
  • Induration- epidermolysis
  • Numbness

* LRINEC score   5  - 3 patients

                              6  - 3 patients