Case Report
Volume 6 Issue 4 - April 2018
DOI: 10.19080/JAICM.2018.06.555692
J Anest & Inten Care Med
Copyright © All rights are reserved by Quratulain Masood
Necrotizing Fasciitis: Race against Time to Salvage
Limb from potential Amputations; a Case Report
Quratulain Fatima Masood
1
*, Ali Asad
2
, Anika Naeem
2
, Saad Wasiq
2
, Sara Habib
3
, Maira Nusrat
2
, Fnu Sandeep
4
,
Umair Hamid
2
, Vinesh Kumar
5
, Aimen Mubashar
6
, Atufa Kaleem
7
, Zainab Khan
8
, Umer Zia
2
, Hafiz Zarsham Ali
Ikram
10
, Areej Khan
9
, Atif Ibrahi , Afshan Naz Amray
4
and Syed Yawar Mehdi
11
1
National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan
2
University of Health Sciences Lahore, Pakistan
3
Thomas Jefferson University, Pennsylvania
4
Dow University of Health Sciences, Pakistan
5
Ghulam Mohammad Maharashtra Medical College, Pakistan
6
Fatima Jinnah Medical College for Women Lahore, Pakistan
7
Hospital Multan, Pakistan
8
Nishter Medical University, Pakistan
9
King Edward Medical University, Pakistan
10
Khyber University, Pakistan
11
Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan
Submission: April 10, 2018; Published: April 17, 2018
*Corresponding author: Quratulain Masood, National University of Sciences and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan, Email:
J Anest & Inten Care Med 6(4): JAICM.MS.ID.555692 (2018) 001
Abstract
Necrotizing Fasciitis is a rare, rapidly progressive and lethal infection of the soft tissues of the body, which can result in necrosis. Early
diagnosis and prompt management with antibiotics and surgical debridement of the affected limb can prevent devastating outcomes. We present
a case of a seven year old boy with altered mental status and cellulitis of his right thigh. Astute and rigorous care resulted in preventing limb
amputation.
Keywords: Necrotizing fasciitis; Prompt treatment
Introduction
“Flesh eating bacteria” or Necrotizing Fasciitis is a life
threatening tissue infection that spreads swiftly. It often presents
with local skin changes, fever and vomiting. Limbs and perineum
are the most commonly involved infected sites. The major risk
factors include a poor immune status, diabetes, cancer, obesity,
alcoholism and peripheral arterial disease. Necrotizing Fasciitis
is mostly a mono-microbial disease; Group A streptococcus
and methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus being the most
common causative agents. The pathophysiology suggests the
exotoxin production by bacteria causes necrosis of the tissue,
activating immune responses and spreading extensively.
There are various techniques of diagnosing it including the
Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC)
scoring system. MRI has a better sensitivity and is the gold
standard to diagnose it.
Case Report
A seven year old boy, was referred to our facility in an altered
mental state with a swollen, erythematous right thigh, a rash of the
overlying skin for the last three days. The patient was treated at a
separate facility by orthopedic surgeon and neuro-physician. The
patient was shifted to I.C.U and treated for septic shock. Empiric
oral antibiotics and fluid resuscitation were started. Orthopedic
consultation was sought, who advised immediate surgery.
Intra operatively circumferential debridement of the necrotic
skin, subcutaneous tissue and fascia were done. There was
significant necrosis of the muscle of right thigh which also needed