A case report of primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast: A rare but deadly entity requiring rapid surgical management

Necrotizing fasciitis of the breast in a breastfeeding mother: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressive life-threatening infection involving necrosis of subcutaneous tissues and fascia. Though it mainly affects the extremities, perineum and abdominal wall, it rarely affects the breast.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 30-year-old woman on postpartum day seven presented with one-day history of fever with chills and rigors and painful, swollen and tender left breast. Although the initial diagnosis was mastitis, the disease progressively worsened with the breast developing ischaemic necrotic areas in the lower quadrants and nipple areolar region. Therefore, a clinical diagnosis of breast necrotizing fasciitis was made. She was managed with broad-spectrum antibiotics, hypertonic saline dressings and supportive care and debridement. Cultures from wound swabs showed multi-resistant polymicrobial growth.

DISCUSSION

Necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is mainly reported following pregnancy like in our patient. The diagnosis is mainly clinical with the help of laboratory and radiological investigations. Broad spectrum IV antibiotics, surgical/chemical debridement, VAC dressings and supportive care are the main principles of managing necrotizing fasciitis. Alongside this, psychological support was crucial in the management of our patient.

CONCLUSION

We have reported rare presentation of a breastfeeding mother presenting with NF. We were able to successfully manage due to early identification and appropriate management.

Uncommon presentation of necrotizing fasciitis affecting the breast in a young breastfeeding patient: Case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Necrotizing fasciitis is a highly dangerous infection that poses a life-threatening risk as it rapidly spreads and causes tissue necrosis in the subcutaneous tissues and fascia. Although rare, the breasts can be affected by this infection, which adds to the complexity of the condition.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 26-year-old woman who had been breastfeeding for two months presented with pain, swelling, and fever in her left breast. The left breast showed skin darkening and foul-smelling discharge. The diagnosis was septic shock due to necrotizing fasciitis. Prompt treatment included surgical debridement, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and supportive care. The patient's condition remained challenging, and the infection was caused by multi-resistant bacteria.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Necrotizing fasciitis is a highly severe and aggressive type of soft tissue infection. It can range from minor or mild infections of the soft tissues to severe cases involving septic shock. While it is uncommon, necrotizing fasciitis can also affect the breasts. The diagnosis of breast NF relies on a combination of clinical evaluation, culture results, laboratory findings, and imaging studies. Swift surgical interventions, along with appropriate antibiotic therapy and supportive management, are vital for the patient's survival and improved prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Breast necrotizing fasciitis is frequently misdiagnosed due to the presence of thick breast tissue, which creates challenges in identifying the infection between the skin and deep fascia. Swift and extensive surgical debridement, combined with the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, are crucial components for effectively managing and preventing the significant morbidity and mortality associated with this condition.

Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections of the Breast: A Potentially Lethal Surgical Emergency

Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) of the breast is an extremely rare event in surgical practice. It is considered the most aggressive form of soft tissue infection and a true surgical emergency. It is also associated with a high risk of mortality if not diagnosed promptly. Few cases have been documented in the literature; the exact etiology and risk factors vary from those involving the limbs, trunk, and perineum. Early recognition, prompt surgical treatment, and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy are crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality. These reports present cases of NSTIs in breasts with unique etiologies and challenges in their management.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the breast after bilateral breast reduction

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare infection that rapidly progresses through fascial planes. Due to the latter, diagnosis in a timely manner is imperative to ultimately decrease morbidity and mortality. Such a disease process can occur anywhere in the body; however, necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is extremely rare and not well documented in the available literature. This is a case report about a 49-year-old woman who developed severe necrotizing fasciitis of both breasts following elective bilateral breast reduction. The patient developed a severe soft tissue infection leading to destruction of local tissue and required management in a surgical high dependency unit. This case report outlines the immediate management and the ensuing steps in reconstruction. Necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is a rare complication of breast reduction surgery. Early recognition and aggressive treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, hyperbaric therapy and repeated debridement are essential for successful management. The use of Integra Bilayer Wound Matrix and skin grafting can result in satisfactory outcomes. It is important to obtain tissue samples for culture and sensitivity testing to identify the offending organism in patients with suspected necrotizing fasciitis. This case report highlights the importance of early diagnosis and management of necrotizing fasciitis to prevent morbidity and mortality.

Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Breast: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Abstract Background: Primary necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is a rare clinical condition and therefore a challenge for the clinical doctor. Its severity is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Patients and Methods: In the current article we present three cases that we treated in our surgical department with a combination of empirical antibiotic treatment, complete surgical debridement in stages, and negative pressure wound therapy. Conclusions: It appears that prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are key for the successful management of these cases. The recognition of early clinical signs as well as risk factors are issues of great importance. A high index of suspicion is required for the early diagnosis and treatment, aiming to the best outcome for the patient.

Breast rescue after necrotizing fasciitis

Necrotizing fasciitis is a dangerous and rapidly spreading infection of soft tissue involving skin, subcutaneous tissue and fascia; muscles can be concerned but often omitted. It's considered as emergency due to its fulminant nature. The necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is exceptional. Management is based on surgical debridement and, in the case of breast, mastectomy in most cases is inevitable. We describe a case-report of breast necrotizing fasciitis with prompt management and with satisfactory cosmetic result owing to dermal autograft.

A case of Klebsiella pneumoniae hypervirulent phenotype causing necrotizing fasciitis of chest wall: A mono-microbial entity emerging in the Indian subcontinent

Necrotizing fasciitis of the chest wall or upper torso is a rare clinical entity. Monomicrobial Klebsiella pneumoniae as a causative agent of necrotizing fasciitis is far less common than the polymicrobial etiology. Here, we report a case of community-onset pyogenic necrotizing fasciitis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in an immunocompetent male of tribal background from the rural area of Jharkhand, India. The hypermucoviscous phenotype of the bacterium causing necrotizing fasciitis has been infrequently reported from the Indian subcontinent to date. The existence of multidrug resistant trait in the hypervirulent pathotype poses a unique challenge in treatment in such a case and emerges as a critical community health problem requiring prompt attention of the public health stakeholders. Thus, there is a need for widespread awareness for proper protocols in antimicrobial usage, infection control, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment.

Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Breast Requiring a Life-Saving Mastectomy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Necrotizing soft tissue infection of the breast is an extremely rare event in routine surgical practice. It is the most aggressive form of soft tissue infection and a real surgical emergency. It is associated with a high risk of mortality if not diagnosed promptly. A Literature search has revealed only a few such cases. The exact etiology is variable and very often multifactorial. Early recognition and prompt surgical treatment along with broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy are of paramount importance to prevent mortality. In this report, we present the first case of necrotizing fasciitis of the breast following an insect bite in the literature, in a 57-year-old diabetic patient with a delayed presentation that required a life-saving mastectomy.

Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Breast Following a Core-Needle Biopsy

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an aggressive rapidly spreading infection of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue. Its occurrence in the breast is extremely rare especially after routine procedures like core-needle biopsy. We present the case of a 35-year-old non-lactating female who presented with swelling and a necrotic patch with pus discharge over her right breast following a core needle biopsy. She was immediately treated with aggressive debridement and culture-specific intravenous antibiotics following which she had an uneventful recovery. It is quintessential to diagnose the condition and initiate the treatment as early as possible to prevent the progression of the disease to sepsis and multi-organ dysfunction.

Management of Primary Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Breast: A Systematic Review

Purpose

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a life-threatening infection that involves spreading necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue and fascia that affects the extremities, abdominal wall, and perineum. Primary infection of the breast is a rare occurrence. Shah et al described the first case of primary breast NF and recommended radical "pseudotumor" excision and delayed skin closure months after resolution. Numerous other cases reported were successfully managed with different strategies. We aimed to summarize management options for primary breast NF through a systematic review of the literature.

Methods

A systematic review of English literature was performed using PubMed. A total of 58 abstracts were reviewed. Data were abstracted from 25 cases that met inclusion criteria.

Results

A total of 25 cases of primary NF of the breast without an inciting event were found within the literature. Common initial operations included total mastectomy (36.0%), excisional debridement (32.0%), and partial mastectomy (12.0%). A total or radical mastectomy was completed for definitive source control in 13 (52.0%) cases. A total of 18 cases underwent reconstruction. Split-thickness skin grafts (44.4%) and delayed primary closures (33.3%) were the most common methods of reconstruction.

Conclusion

Majority of cases with primary breast NF are managed with a total mastectomy to gain source control. Reconstruction using split-thickness skin grafts was most common. Other options included delayed primary closure, full thickness skin grafts, local tissue rearrangement, and pedicle flap reconstruction. Reconstruction should be patient dependent, but the whole arsenal of the reconstructive ladder may be used.

Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Breast: A Review of the Literature

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare, rapidly progressing, and potentially fatal tissue infection involving subcutaneous tissue, superficial fascia, and the overlying skin. Breast NF is often misdiagnosed because of the thick breast tissue between the skin and deep fascia. Only early diagnosis followed by prompt antibiotic treatment and surgical therapy can prevent disastrous consequences. There are many case reports on breast NF, but a systematic review is lacking. Methods: Using PubMed and Scopus we performed a systematic review of the literature covering a period of 20 years. We reviewed articles with predisposing comorbidities (risk factors), triggering factors, laboratory examinations, culture of organisms, antibiotic treatment, surgical interventions, the presence of septic shock, and final outcome. We also performed statistical tests of all these factors in relation to death. Results: Forty cases identified from 38 articles were included in our literature review. Twenty-one cases (52.5%) were primary, whereas 15 cases (37.5%) occurred after surgery. In 15 cases (37.5%), the single organism responsible for NF was Streptococcus pyogenes, whereas mixed organisms were found in 17 cases (42.5%). Surgical debridement was performed in 39 (97.5%) cases. Septic shock was found in all five (12.5%) deceased cases and was associated with patient's mortality (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Breast NF is a rare, severe, and easily misdiagnosed complication. Breast NF could differ from that in other body regions in etiology pattern and clinical manifestations. Confirmed diagnosis of breast NF is based on the combination of clinical, cultural, laboratory, and imaging findings. Urgent subsequent treatments, including surgical debridement, antibiotic therapy, and reconstructive surgery, are critical for better prognosis and survival of patients.

Benign Breast Disease in Women

BACKGROUND

Most clinical breast changes in women are benign; in only 3% to 6% of cases are they due to breast cancer. How- ever, there is a lack of up-to-date, evidence-based treatment recommendations for the various benign differential diagnoses.

METHODS

Selective literature search of PubMed from 1985 to May 2019, including current national (AWMF, Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften [Association of Scientific Medical Societies in Germany]) and inter- national guidelines.

RESULTS

Mastalgia and fibrocystic changes are common (around 50% of all women over the age of 30). Fibroadenomas occur in 25% of women; they are the most common benign tumors of the breast and do not require treatment. With most benign breast changes the risk of dedifferentiation is very low. However, it is important in the differential diagnosis to distinguish between such benign changes and breast cancer or changes that carry a risk of malignancy. Complex cysts, for example, carry a risk of malig- nancy of 23% to 31%, papillary lesions 16% , and radial scars 7%. Where there is doubt, histological confirmation should be sought by means of percutaneous biopsy.

CONCLUSION

Benign breast changes can be definitively distinguished from malignant lesions through the selective use of avail- able diagnostic investigations and interdisciplinary collaboration. When lesions of uncertain malignant potential are found (B3 in the biopsy classification), complete excision is indicated. Prospective studies on the early diagnosis of breast cancer in lesions carrying a risk of malignancy are desirable.

Case of necrotizing infection of the breast and brief review of literature

Necrotizing infections are rapidly spreading progressive infections with necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue that can have severe complications. We report a case of right breast necrotizing mastitis in a 40-year-old postpartum woman who presented in septic shock. The patient was resuscitated with intravenous fluids and broad-spectrum antibiotics, followed by urgent surgical debridement. We discuss the patient's presentation, our treatment approach, and outcomes, with a brief review of the literature. We conclude that necrotizing breast infections are rare, but must be known to obstetricians and breast and surgical oncologists, because without urgent treatment and surgical debridement, the mortality risk is high.

Post-traumatic necrotising fasciitis of the breast: a case study with literature review

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare infection of the skin and underlying soft tissue. It primarily involves the extremities and rarely the breast. Primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast in a non-lactating, healthy female is rarer still. The authors present the case report of a patient presenting with primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast after sustaining a penetrating injury. The patient was managed successfully with serial debridement and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). To our knowledge only 19 such cases have been reported in the indexed literature so far. This is also the eighth case globally of primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast in a non-lactating female without any associated immunosuppression, which is the basis of reporting this case.

Necrotising fasciitis of the breast: A rare but deadly disease

INTRODUCTION

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare but deadly bacterial infection causing soft tissue and fascial necrosis. It is associated with a mortality rate of 25%. It is characterised by; erythematous skin, which turns dusky blue before haemorrhagic bullae develop; localised pain; and inflammation. It is most commonly found in the extremities, the abdomen or the perineum but is rarely seen in the breast.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe a 54-year-old lady who presented with breast erythema and raised inflammatory markers. Initially treated as cellulitis, however when her symptoms did not improve and despite IV antibiotics her bloods worsened, a CT scan was performed which showed a large volume of interstitial soft tissue gas with diffuse fat stranding, consistent with necrotising fasciitis. Debridement of her breast alongside the use of sensitive antibiotics and ITU support led to a satisfactory outcome.

DISCUSSION

We discuss how an early diagnosis can be made by the recognition of a triad of symptoms common in necrotising fasciitis, and how optimal management can be achieved with the incorporation of imaging to successfully identify the condition and allow targeted debridement of the areas of necrotising fasciitis.

CONCLUSION

A high index of suspicion should be held if pain is disproportionate to the signs or sepsis is present. To aid an early diagnosis, imaging of the breast should be performed early to avoid delay in treatment.

Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Breast: Case Report with Literature Review

Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening aggressive soft tissue infection which usually affects the extremities, abdominal wall, or perineum. Breasts are rarely affected, with most cases presenting after trauma or surgical intervention. It may be misdiagnosed as abscess or cellulitis, leading to treatment delays. Here, we report a case of necrotizing fasciitis affecting both breasts in a 60-year-old female. Treatment included core biopsy managed with intravenous antibiotic and surgical debridement followed by a simple mastectomy. Currently, the patient is disease-free with a completely healed wound.