title: Necrotising fasciitis of the thumb.
abstract: Necrotising fasciitis is a rare condition that should be diagnosed early and managed aggressively in order to avoid death. We present a case of necrotising fasciitis of the thumb and discuss the assessment and management of this serious condition. A 44-year-old woman presented with a painful and erythematous right thumb and progressive swelling of her hand following a minor injury to the tip of her thumb 3 days previously. A diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis was made and the patient underwent urgent debridement of non-viable tissue. She required 1 week of supportive therapy in intensive treatment unit and was discharged from hospital after 3 weeks. Necrotising fasciitis is a rapidly progressing life-threatening infection, usually caused by streptococcal organisms. Immediate resuscitation, broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics and early surgical debridement are necessary in order to avoid significant morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, Berkshire, UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Markeson
authors.forename: Evgenios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Evgeniou
authors.forename: Alok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Misra
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013933:Thumb / Q000293:injuries / Q000382:microbiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents