Publication

Swollen leg with blisters

Journal Paper/Review - Oct 5, 2005

Units
PubMed

Citation
Rafeiner P, Templeton A, Vonesch H. Swollen leg with blisters. Praxis 2005; 94:1569-74.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (Deutsch)
Journal
Praxis 2005; 94
Publication Date
Oct 5, 2005
Issn Print
1661-8157
Pages
1569-74
Brief description/objective

We report the case of a 84-year-old woman suffering from strong pain in her right leg initially resembling thrombosis of deep veins. Eight hours after admission a superficial blister developed at the calf with following hemorrhagic aspect and spontanous eruption of clear yellowish fluid. Later on a new blister appeared at the thigh. The patient died 33 hours after admission of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The latter was based on a necrotizing fasciitis. Streptoccus pyogenes (group A) could be cultivated from the blood and fluid of the blister. We discuss the clinical presentation of necrotizing fasciitis with "pain out of proportion" as characteristic complaint and the appropriate management.