Necrotizing fasciitis of lower extremity due to diverticulitis perforation: a case report

Abstract

Rationale: Necrotizing fasciitis is an aggressive infection of subcutaneous tissues, which tends to spread rapidly through the fascial planes. Colonic diverticulosis is a common disease in advanced age, although it rarely causes a lethal necrotizing soft-tissue infection. Patient concerns: A 58-year-old woman complained of left leg pain for 15 d without abdominal pain. Diagnosis: Diverticulitis perforation presented as necrotizing fasciitis of the left thigh. Interventions: Extensive debridement. Outcomes: The patient died due to sepsis-induced multiple organ failure and severe metabolic acidosis. Lessons: Clinicians should be aware of presentations of diverticulitis in patients who have a soft-tissue infection in lower extremity even though patients may not have had a history of diverticulosis or abdominal pain.

Keywords

• Necrotizing fasciitis
• Diverticulitis
• Perforation
• Thigh infection
• Steroid use