title: Necrotising fasciitis of the shoulder following muscular strain.
abstract: Necrotising fasciitis is a rare, life-threatening, soft-tissue infection characterised by rapidly spreading inflammation and subsequent necrosis of the muscle, fascia and surrounding tissues. We report a case of necrotising fasciitis originating from the shoulder in a 59-year-old female patient. Necrotising fasciitis of the shoulder is very rare and has a poor prognosis because of its potential to spread to the chest wall. It can occur in otherwise healthy people without any predisposing conditions and could present as muscle strain. Disproportionate pain is the hallmark of this condition. Ultrasound examination and aspiration of fluid from the involved area is a fast and efficient method of reaching the diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Mayday University Hospital, Birmingham, UK. surajjoshy@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joshy
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Haidar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iossifidis
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000382:microbiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries*; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents