Retroperitoneal Necrotizing Fasciitis from Fournier’s Gangrene in an Immunocompromised Patient

Introduction. Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a devastating soft tissue disease causing fulminant clinical deterioration, and extension into the retroperitoneum has a high mortality rate. This disease process demands a strong clinical suspicion for early identification which must be coupled with frequ...

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Main Authors: Samuel B. Weimer, Marc R. Matthews, Daniel M. Caruso, Kevin N. Foster
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2017-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Surgery
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/5290793
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author Samuel B. Weimer
Marc R. Matthews
Daniel M. Caruso
Kevin N. Foster
author_facet Samuel B. Weimer
Marc R. Matthews
Daniel M. Caruso
Kevin N. Foster
author_sort Samuel B. Weimer
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a devastating soft tissue disease causing fulminant clinical deterioration, and extension into the retroperitoneum has a high mortality rate. This disease process demands a strong clinical suspicion for early identification which must be coupled with frequent wide surgical debridements and intravenous antibiotics for improved outcomes. Various clinical risk factors may render a weakness in the patient’s immune status including diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, obesity, and autoimmune disorders, such as a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Case Report. A 55-year-old male presented with hypotension requiring a large intravenous fluid resuscitation and vasopressors. He was diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus upon presentation. A computerized tomographic scan revealed air and fluid in the perineum and pelvis, ascending into the retroperitoneum. Multiple surgical debridements to his perineum, deep pelvic structures, and retroperitoneum were completed. After colostomy placement, antibiotic administration, and wound care, he was closed using split-thickness skin grafting. Conclusion. NF is a sinister and fulminant disease requiring prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention. The best chance for survival occurs with emergent surgical debridement and appropriate intravenous antibiotics. While retroperitoneal NF is consistent with uniformly poor outcomes, patients are best treated in an American Burn Association-verified burn center.
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spelling doaj-art-68f1bb81cfe149ea8c787a72b0664fad2025-08-20T03:33:32ZengWileyCase Reports in Surgery2090-69002090-69192017-01-01201710.1155/2017/52907935290793Retroperitoneal Necrotizing Fasciitis from Fournier’s Gangrene in an Immunocompromised PatientSamuel B. Weimer0Marc R. Matthews1Daniel M. Caruso2Kevin N. Foster3Department of Surgery, Maricopa Integrated Health Systems, Phoenix, AZ, USAThe Arizona Burn Center, Maricopa Integrated Health System, Phoenix, AZ, USAThe Arizona Burn Center, Maricopa Integrated Health System, Phoenix, AZ, USAThe Arizona Burn Center, Maricopa Integrated Health System, Phoenix, AZ, USAIntroduction. Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a devastating soft tissue disease causing fulminant clinical deterioration, and extension into the retroperitoneum has a high mortality rate. This disease process demands a strong clinical suspicion for early identification which must be coupled with frequent wide surgical debridements and intravenous antibiotics for improved outcomes. Various clinical risk factors may render a weakness in the patient’s immune status including diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, obesity, and autoimmune disorders, such as a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Case Report. A 55-year-old male presented with hypotension requiring a large intravenous fluid resuscitation and vasopressors. He was diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus upon presentation. A computerized tomographic scan revealed air and fluid in the perineum and pelvis, ascending into the retroperitoneum. Multiple surgical debridements to his perineum, deep pelvic structures, and retroperitoneum were completed. After colostomy placement, antibiotic administration, and wound care, he was closed using split-thickness skin grafting. Conclusion. NF is a sinister and fulminant disease requiring prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention. The best chance for survival occurs with emergent surgical debridement and appropriate intravenous antibiotics. While retroperitoneal NF is consistent with uniformly poor outcomes, patients are best treated in an American Burn Association-verified burn center.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/5290793
spellingShingle Samuel B. Weimer
Marc R. Matthews
Daniel M. Caruso
Kevin N. Foster
Retroperitoneal Necrotizing Fasciitis from Fournier’s Gangrene in an Immunocompromised Patient
Case Reports in Surgery
title Retroperitoneal Necrotizing Fasciitis from Fournier’s Gangrene in an Immunocompromised Patient
title_full Retroperitoneal Necrotizing Fasciitis from Fournier’s Gangrene in an Immunocompromised Patient
title_fullStr Retroperitoneal Necrotizing Fasciitis from Fournier’s Gangrene in an Immunocompromised Patient
title_full_unstemmed Retroperitoneal Necrotizing Fasciitis from Fournier’s Gangrene in an Immunocompromised Patient
title_short Retroperitoneal Necrotizing Fasciitis from Fournier’s Gangrene in an Immunocompromised Patient
title_sort retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis from fournier s gangrene in an immunocompromised patient
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/5290793
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