Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41798651›Full record

ArticleCureus2026

Necrotizing Fasciitis Camouflaging As Cellulitis: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnostic Pitfalls.

Sakshi Palav, Shravan Gangula, Jyothi R Patri

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Sakshi PalavCollege of Medicine, University of California, Berkeley, USA.
Shravan GangulaFamily and Community Medicine, Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, Coffeyville, USA.
Jyothi R PatriFamily and Lifestyle Medicine, Heritage Valley Family Medicine Residency Program, Beaver Falls, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening soft tissue infection that is often misdiagnosed in its early stages due to clinical similarities with cellulitis. Early recognition and prompt surgical intervention are essential to reducing morbidity and mortality. This report presents one case of NF initially manifesting as cellulitis in a patient with multiple risk factors, including intravenous drug use and recent incarceration. Despite initial antibiotic therapy and transient clinical improvement, the patient experienced worsening pain and systemic symptoms. Imaging identified subcutaneous emphysema, leading to urgent surgical exploration that confirmed NF. This case highlights the importance of recognizing disproportionate pain, maintaining a high index of suspicion, and seeking early surgical consultation when NF is considered. The case was managed by family medicine residents and is presented to aid clinicians in recognizing and diagnosing NF among other potential conditions.

Indexed as

laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis (lrinec) scorenecrotizing fasciitis managementnecrotizing fasciitis mimicnecrotizing fasciitis misdiagnosisnecrotizing fasciitis (nf)necrotizing soft tissue infection (nsti)nf diagnostic modalitiesnf differential diagnosisnf mimicking cellulitisnf suspicion index

Identifiers

PMID41798651
PMCPMC12964327

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.