Diagnosis and Management of Non-Purulent Cellulitis in the Emergency Department. Issue 2 (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yadav, Krishan; Rosenberg, Hans; Eagles, Debra; Suh, Kathryn N.
• Is Part Of: CJEM. Volume 21:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 186
• Page End: 189
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Cellulitis, -- antibiotics, -- emergency department, -- clinical decision making; Emergency Treatment -- Periodicals; Emergency Medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency medical services -- Canada -- Periodicals; Medical emergencies -- Canada -- Periodicals; Emergency medical services; Medical emergencies; Canada; Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.1017/cem.2019.6
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1481-8035

Abstract

Abstract : A 47-year-old homeless male presents to the emergency department (ED) with right lower extremity swelling, erythema and pain. He has diabetes mellitus, and had one prior episode of cellulitis three months ago affecting the same leg. He has a history of medication noncompliance. At triage, his temperature is 38.3°C but the remaining vital signs are unremarkable. On examination of the affected leg, there is an approximately 10 × 10 cm area of erythema, induration and increased warmth. There is mild tenderness to palpation and you wonder if there is a small degree of fluctuance. There is no lymphangitis, crepitus, necrosis or pain out of proportion to clinical findings.