Necrotizing fasciitis of the breast: a case managed without mastectomy

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.

Primary necrotizing fasciitis of the breast in a young patient, a case report

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening and potentially fatal condition which commonly affects extremities, abdominal wall and perineum. However, it can affect any body part. Breasts are very rarely affected, with most of the cases are following surgical intervention or trauma. Predisposing conditions include diabetes, chronic alcoholism, advanced age, vascular disease, and immunosuppression and many cases are preceded by an injury or invasive procedure. Here we present necrotizing fasciitis of the breast in a 28-year-old female patient with no identified risk factor.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 28-year-old woman on her 4th month of lactation presented to the emergency department with a 4-day history of right breast pain and swelling. Associated with this, she had darkening of the skin of the right breast, high-grade fever, and foul-smelling discharge from the wound. On examination, she was febrile, tachycardic and hypotensive. Breast examination showed signs suggestive of NF. Subsequently, the patient was managed with broad spectrum antibiotics, supportive care, surgical debridement followed by partial mastectomy and finally the patient was discharged improved.

CONCLUSION

Although it is a rare phenomenon, necrotizing soft-tissue infections of the breast can progress rapidly and carry a high mortality rate. Therefore, early diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention are of paramount importance. Here, we aim to show the importance of early diagnosis and the need for appropriate therapy to avoid complications and death.

Empyema necessitans - An unusual cause of necrotising fasciitis of the breast

Necrotising fasciitis is a dreaded aggressive soft tissue infection that can cause extensive tissue necrosis. It may arise in the breast where its diagnosis may not readily be evoked.

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.

Managing breast gangrene during the COVID-19 pandemic

At the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, a 63-year-old woman with multiple life-limiting comorbidities was referred with a necrotic infected left breast mass on a background of breast cancer treated with conservation surgery and radiotherapy 22 years previously. The clinical diagnosis was locally advanced breast cancer, but four separate biopsies were non-diagnostic. Deteriorating renal function and incipient sepsis and endocarditis resulted in urgent salvage mastectomy during the peak of the COVID19 pandemic. The final diagnosis was infected ischaemic/infarcted breast (wet gangrene) secondary to vascular insufficiency related to diabetes, cardiac revascularisation surgery and breast radiotherapy.

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.

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: A Case Report and Literature Review

A 51-year-old woman presented to our facility with an open wound in the left breast. This was associated with a hard, non-mobile, tender lesion palpable underneath. The wound contained central necrosis with surrounding purulent discharge and accompanying erythema. Following radical debridement of the breast down to the pectoralis fascia the patient had a vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) device dressing applied. Histological examination was consistent with necrotizing fasciitis of the breast.

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.

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

•

Primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast is an extremely rare entity.

•

We present the youngest patient described in the literature.

•

Prompt resuscitation and surgical intervention are critical to successful management.

Introduction

Necrotising fasciitis of the breast is a rare entity with very few cases reported in the literature. It is rapidly progressive and can lead to sepsis and multi-organ failure without prompt medical and surgical management.

Presentation of case

We describe a case of a non-diabetic 23-year-old female with primary necrotising fasciitis of the right breast. She presented in septic shock with gross breast discolouration and nipple discharge. Immediate resuscitation followed by muscle-sparing mastectomy within 3 h of her presentation was performed. She was managed postoperatively in intensive care. Complications included myocardial infarction and anuria requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. She eventually recovered with close to normal cardiac function and was discharged home after skin grafting of her mastectomy wound.

Conclusion

This is the youngest patient with primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast described in the literature. Prompt resuscitation and an aggressive surgical approach are critical to the successful management of this life threatening pathology.

A rare case of primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast: combined use of hyperbaric oxygen and negative pressure wound therapy to conserve the breast. Review of literature

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare but potentially fatal disease. It is even more unusual as a primary disease of the breast. Surgical treatment is required in order to gain control over the spreading infection and mastectomy is reported to be the most common procedure. We report the first case of an otherwise healthy woman exhibiting a primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast, which was treated combining conservative surgery with hyperbaric oxygen (HO) and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). A 39-year-old woman presented to the emergency room with fever and swelling of her right breast. The physical examination showed oedema and erythema of the breast, with bluish blisters on the lower quadrant. Ultrasound and CT scans showed diffuse oedema of the entire right breast, with subdermal gas bubbles extending to the fascial planes. Few hours later the necrotic area extended regardless an IV antibiotic therapy; a selective debridement of all breast necrotic tissue was performed and repeated 7 days later. The HO was started immediately after the first surgery and repeated daily (2·8 Bar, 120 min) for 18 days and then a NPWT (120-135 mmHg) was applied. Forty-five days after the last debridement, the breast wound was covered with a full-thickness skin graft. Several months later, an excellent cosmetic result was observed. This is the first case of primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast treated associating HO and NPWT to surgical debridement only; this combination resulted in a complete recovery with the additional benefit of breast conservation. Such result is discussed in light of the available literature on the treatment of primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast.

Breast necrotising fasciitis managed by partial mastectomy

We present the case of a 75-year-old woman who presented with extensive breast cellulitis, which was thought to be secondary to a deep breast abscess. On admission the patient underwent debridement of the breast and broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics were administered. However, during hospitalisation she developed sepsis, acute renal failure and required further debridements for the rapidly spreading necrotising fasciitis. Subsequently, a partial mastectomy was performed and the patient made an overall good postoperative recovery.