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Case Reports
. 2007 Feb;24(2):e8.
doi: 10.1136/emj.2006.041723.

Necrotising myositis: a surgical emergency that may have minimal changes in the skin

G H Smith  1 , J S Huntley, G F Keenan
Affiliations
Case Reports

Necrotising myositis: a surgical emergency that may have minimal changes in the skin

G H Smith et al. Emerg Med J. 2007 Feb.

Abstract

Necrotising myositis is a surgical emergency. It is underappreciated that it may present without changes in the skin. Diagnosis is therefore often delayed. We describe a case of necrotising myositis necessitating glenohumeral disarticulation. Remarkable features were the absence of skin signs and the rapidity with which the patient became extremely septic. A review of the literature has shown the importance of early diagnosis and quick decision making to minimise mortality.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None.

References

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