Fasciite nécrosante: une redoutable affection!

Necrotizing fasciitis is a bacterial infection affecting the deep dermis, the hypodermis and the superficial aponeurosis. It is a severe lethal infection in 30% of cases. Polymicrobial association is frequently found. The factors associated with necrotizing fasciitis are diabetes, chronic alcoholism, intravenous drug use and immunosuppression. We report the clinical case of a 65-year old diabetic patient admitted to the Emergency Department with septic shock and whose dermatological examination showed cold and livedoid edematous placards surmounted by hemorrhagic phlyctenas of the right upper and lower limbs, evoking necrotizing fasciitis. The patient rapidly suffered from multi-system organ failure causing his death. It is important to recognize necrotizing fasciitis as soon as possible. Indeed, early medicosurgical therapy conditions the prognosis of this life-threatening infection which can lead to death.