Necrotizing fasciitis. Review of the literature and case report.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) of the hand was preceded by an outbreak of porphyria cutanea tarda in a 31-year-old woman. The presentation, course, differential diagnosis, and treatment of necrotizing fasciitis, including a review of the literature, illustrates the indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for this life-threatening infection.