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Late diagnosed necrotizing fasciitis as a cause of multiorgan dysfunction syndrome: A case report

Piotr Smuszkiewicz1*, Iwona Trojanowska1 and Hanna Tomczak2

Author Affiliations

1 Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Therapy and Pain Treatment, University Hospital, Przybyszewskiego 49, 60-355 Poznan, Poland

2 Central Laboratory of Microbiology, University Hospital, Przybyszewskiego 49, 60-355 Poznan, Poland

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Cases Journal 2008, 1:125 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-1-125

Published: 23 August 2008

Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening soft tissue bacterial infection. We present a serious case of a 43-year-old male who suffered from necrotizing fasciitis of the left leg in whom a delayed diagnosis caused multiorgan dysfunction.

Early recognition of important symptoms is essential in the management and surgical debridement of necrotizing fasciitis. Treatment should include comprehensive supportive measures (early goal-directed therapy, adequate ventilation strategy, activated protein C dosage, tight glucose control, steroids, renal replacement therapy) and early antibiotic therapy based on microbiologic monitoring. The pathophysiology and etiologic factors of necrotizing fasciitis are discussed.