Cellulitis: A Review of Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management

Med Clin North Am. 2021 Jul;105(4):723-735. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.04.009.

Abstract

Cellulitis is a common skin infection resulting in increasing hospitalizations and health care costs. There is no gold standard diagnostic test, making cellulitis a potentially challenging condition to distinguish from other mimickers. Physical examination typically demonstrates poorly demarcated unilateral erythema with warmth and tenderness. Thorough history and clinical examination can narrow the differential diagnosis of cellulitis and minimize unnecessary hospitalization. Antibiotic selection is determined by patient history and risk factors, severity of clinical presentation, and the most likely microbial culprit.

Keywords: Antibiotic; Cellulitis; Diagnosis; Purulence; Skin and soft tissue infection; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship / methods
  • Cellulitis / diagnosis*
  • Cellulitis / drug therapy*
  • Cellulitis / physiopathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Disease Progression
  • Erythema / pathology
  • Health Care Costs / statistics & numerical data
  • Hospitalization / economics
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Physical Examination / methods
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / microbiology
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / pathology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents