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| | THE MERCK MANUAL, Sec. 10, Ch. 112, Bacterial Infections Of The Skin (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-09-07) |
 | | The major gross pathologic findings are edema and necrosis of the subcutaneous tissues, including adjacent fascia; widespread undermining of surrounding tissue; occlusion of small subcutaneous vessels, leading to dermal gangrene; and absent or minimal muscle involvement. |
 | | This anaerobic metabolism often produces hydrogen and nitrogen, relatively insoluble gases, which may accumulate in subcutaneous tissues and cause crepitus or subcutaneous gas (detectable on x-ray). |
 | | Red, hot, tender, and markedly edematous skin suggests an underlying necrotizing subcutaneous infection and is a dermatologic emergency. |
| www.merck.com /mrkshared/mmanual/section10/chapter112/112g.jsp (605 words) |
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