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Case Reports
. 2013 Dec 10:2013:bcr2013201906.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-201906.

Necrotising fasciitis

Ulrike Dapunt  1 , Alexander Klingmann, Gerhard Schmidmaier, Arash Moghaddam
Affiliations
Case Reports

Necrotising fasciitis

Ulrike Dapunt et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

A patient in his late 50s who suffered from necrotising fasciitis is described in this case report. The patient first presented at the chest pain unit, where he reported of respiratory distress and showed systemic signs of an infection. Because of progressive skin lesions indicative of necrotising fasciitis on both the lower extremities, the patient was immediately rushed into surgery and was treated at the intensive care unit. Despite receiving immediate treatment, the patient died of this rapidly spreading infectious disease. Because of the fast advance of this disease, we would like to emphasise the importance of early recognition of symptoms.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Rapidly progressive skin lesions had developed on both lower extremities. Skin lesions on the abdomen point towards spreading of the disease to the abdominal fascia.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A skin biopsy had been taken on the left lower leg, which might have served as an entrance portal.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Radical surgical debridement of the entire fascia was performed.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Radical surgical debridement of the entire fascia was performed.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Wide incisions on both legs were performed medially and laterally, as well as on the lower abdomen.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Wide incisions on both legs were performed medially and laterally, as well as on the lower abdomen.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Rapid progression of the disease over 68 h.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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