Necrotizing streptococcal myositis of an extremity: a rare case report

J Orthop Trauma. 2011 Mar;25(3):e23-6. doi: 10.1097/BOT.0b013e3181e47fc9.

Abstract

Necrotizing myositis is a severe and very rare streptococcal soft tissue infection involving the superficial fascia and muscle. Its clinical symptoms are nonspecific until the appearance of a fulminant clinical course with soft tissue destruction and septic shock. A high mortality and morbidity rate has been reported in the few cases over the last century. Despite several attempts to better define the different entities causing this necrotizing soft tissue infection, no clear treatment has been outlined. We present the case of a 47-year-old woman who had an acute necrotizing myositis after a stab wound. The diagnosis of necrotizing myositis was only established after surgical treatment with a pathology report. We reviewed the literature to highlight the clinical difficulty of a preoperative diagnosis and surgical treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amputation, Surgical
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Debridement
  • Elbow / surgery
  • Elbow Injuries*
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / microbiology
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / pathology*
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Middle Aged
  • Myositis / microbiology
  • Myositis / pathology*
  • Myositis / therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections / complications
  • Streptococcal Infections / pathology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wounds, Stab / microbiology
  • Wounds, Stab / pathology*
  • Wounds, Stab / therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents