Necrotizing soft tissue infection from decubitus ulcer after spinal cord injury.
METHODS
A case of necrotizing soft tissue infection in a patient with spinal cord injury with extension of infection into the spinal canal and spinal cord is presented.


OBJECTIVE
To review the history, risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and morbidity and mortality regarding necrotizing soft tissue infection as they relate to spinal cord injury.


BACKGROUND
Necrotizing soft tissue infection related to decubitus ulcers is rare. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this disease related to a sacral decubitus ulcer with extension of the necrotizing infection into the spinal canal.


METHODS
The clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features associated with necrotizing soft tissue infection are presented. The patient presented with a late-stage necrotizing soft tissue infection requiring extensive de-bridement of necrotic tissue, which the patient underwent on admission.


RESULTS
The patent died of refractory septic shock and multiple-organ failure after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Necrotizing soft tissue infections from decubitus ulcers are rare and unpredictable, and ultimately have a progressively aggressive course. The case reported herein is the first report of necrotizing soft tissue infection from a decubitus ulcer in a patient with spinal cord injury with extension into the spinal canal and spinal cord.
Cunningham
Steven C
SC
Department of Surgery, Veterans Affairs Maryland Healthcare System, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Napolitano
Lena M
LM
D000005:Abdomen / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009187:Myelitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D009220:Myositis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D009336:Necrosis; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000150:complications; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed