title: Necrotising myositis: a surgical emergency that may have minimal changes in the skin.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, UK. georgesmith@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Huntley
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Keenan
mesh_terms: D004630:Emergencies; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009220:Myositis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009336:Necrosis; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology