Necrotizing fasciitis of the leg presenting with chest wall emphysema.
We present the case of a 70-year-old woman with necrotizing fasciitis of the right leg, sepsis and bacteraemia with Escherichia coli. Chest wall emphysema, detected on standard radiograph and the presence of air in the soft-tissue of the foot was the reason for prompt surgical drainage in addition to standard fluid resuscitation and antibiotic therapy. There was no evidence of underlying diabetes mellitus, but unknown chronic renal failure and corticosteroid therapy for rheumatoid arthritis were considered predisposing factors. We present a short overview of this rare life-threatening condition with emphasis on radiological diagnostic modalities.
Geusens
Eric
E
Department of Radiology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. eric.geusens@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Pans
Steven
S
Van Breuseghem
Iwan
I
Knockaert
Daniel
D
D000368:Aged; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D012782:Shoulder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016896:Treatment Outcome