J Korean Orthop Assoc.
1998 Jun;33(3):614-619.
Cellulitis in Young Adults
Abstract
- While the microbiology of cellulitis in the pediatric population and systemic diseases(DM, Cirrhosis, etc) is well known,the causative bacteria and clinical aspect of cellulitis in young adults are less descrihed. this study was undertaken to identify the causative organisms and clinical aspect of adult cellulits. We analysed 121 medical records of 115 young adult patients with cellulitis who had been admitted at the department of orthopaedic surgery, National Police hospital from Jan. 1994. to Dec. 1996. The results were as follows. 1. The age of patient was between 21 yrs and 25 yrs, and the sex of all patients was male. 2. The lower leg and foot were the most frequently involved site of cellulitis as 92 cases(74.2%). 3. The potals were suspected in 65 cases(56.5%),of them, traumas were detected in 43 cases(66.1%), non-traumatic skin lesions in 23 cases(33.9%). 4. In most cases, initial systemic symptoms (fever, chill, headache, etc.) and local symptoms (local heating, tenderness, etc.) were found. 5. The laboratory findings revealed leukocytosis in 19%, elevated ESR in 94%, positive CRP in 80%. 6. Microorganism were detected in 16 of 38 pus cultures. Gram positive microorganisms were detected in 15 of 16 cases culture positive. 7. 6.7% of patients with cellulitis experienced recurrence in same lesions. In conclusion, the retrospective analysis of 115 young adult patients with cellulitis showed that primary cause of young adult cellulit was circulatory disturbance and lymphatic obstruction of the lower extremities most often involved by trauma. therefore, supportive treatments such as rest,elevation,ice packs are considered prior to antibiotic treatment.antibiotic treatment aimed at gram-positive cocci appears to be sufficient.
