Management of early group A streptococcus fasciitis by imaging-guided percutaneous drainage

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is associated with a spectrum of soft-tissue infections that include toxic shock syndrome, myositis, and necrotizing fasciitis (1-3). The mainstay of therapy for invasive GAS soft-tissue infections is surgical exploration and debridement, as penicillin treatment alone is associated with a high morbidity and mortality (4). We report a case that suggests that imaging-guided percutaneous drainage may have a role in the treatment of some cases of GAS fasciitis, and may preclude the need for surgical intervention.