Multi-limb necrotizing fasciitis in a patient with rectal cancer

• Published in: World journal of gastroenterology : WJG Vol. 12; no. 32; pp. 5256 - 5258
• Main Authors: Liu, Shirley Yuk Wah, Ng, Simon Siu Man, Lee, Janet Fung Yee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, 30-32Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China 28-08-2006; Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited
• Subjects: Carcinoma - complications; Carcinoma - pathology; Case Report; Fasciitis, Necrotizing - complications; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic - complications; Male; Middle Aged; Rectal Neoplasms - complications; Rectal Neoplasms - pathology; Streptococcal Infections - complications; Streptococcus - metabolism; 直肠癌; 筋膜炎; 结肠癌; Vlalignancy; Group G streptococcus; Soft tissue infection; Necrotizing fasciitis; Colorectal cancer
• ISSN: 1007-9327; 2219-2840
• DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i32.5256

Necrotizing fasciitis is a devastating soft tissue infection affecting fascias and subcutaneous soft tissues. Literature reviews have identified several related risk factors, including malignancy, alcoholism, malnutrition, diabetes, male gender and old age. There are only scanty case reports in the literature describing its rare association with colorectal malignancy. All published cases are attributed to bowel perforation resulting in necrotizing fasciitis over the perineal region. Isolated upper or lower limb diseases are rarely identified. Simultaneous upper and lower limb infection in colorectal cancer patients has never been described in the literature. We report an unusual case of multi-limb necrotizing fasciitis in a patient with underlying non-perforated rectal carcinoma.