Tube Thoracostomy-Related Necrotizing Fasciitis: A Case Report

Spontaneous pneumothorax is a serious complication of pulmonary tuberculosis that requires immediate treatment. Necrotizing fasciitis is a serious, rapidly progressive infection of the subcutaneous tissue and fascia, most related to trauma or surgery. Here, we report a case of pulmonary tuberculosis...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shun-Pin Hsu, Hong-Chung Wang, I-T Huang, Kuo-An Chu, Huang-Chou Chang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2006-12-01
Series:Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1607551X09703651
Description
Summary:Spontaneous pneumothorax is a serious complication of pulmonary tuberculosis that requires immediate treatment. Necrotizing fasciitis is a serious, rapidly progressive infection of the subcutaneous tissue and fascia, most related to trauma or surgery. Here, we report a case of pulmonary tuberculosis with spontaneous pneumothorax. A standard procedure of tube thoracostomy was performed for lung re-expansion. Two days after the tube was removed, necrotizing fasciitis developed from the puncture site. Computed tomography of the chest showed focal thickness with gas formation and loss of the fat plane over the chest wall, which is compatible with the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. Aggressive treatment was given, including emergency fasciectomy and adequate systemic antibiotic and antituberculous treatment. The necrotizing fasciitis was successfully treated. The patient was discharged and sent home with maintenance antituberculous therapy.
ISSN:1607-551X