Necrotizing fasciitis of the thigh should raise suspicion of a rectal cancer

J Visc Surg. 2010 Jun;147(3):e187-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2010.07.003. Epub 2010 Aug 13.

Abstract

Perforation of rectal cancer usually occurs intraperitoneally. Extraperitoneal perforation is rare and usually presents as perineal sepsis, leading to diagnosis and urgent surgical management plus antibiotic therapy. We report the case of a patient presenting with a perforated rectal carcinoma which presented as necrotizing fasciitis of the right thigh.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications*
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Aged
  • Colostomy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / etiology*
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Perforation / complications*
  • Intestinal Perforation / diagnosis*
  • Intestinal Perforation / pathology
  • Intestinal Perforation / surgery
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Palliative Care
  • Pneumoperitoneum / diagnosis
  • Pneumoperitoneum / etiology
  • Prognosis
  • Rectal Diseases / complications*
  • Rectal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Rectal Diseases / pathology
  • Rectal Diseases / surgery
  • Rectal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Rectal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Rectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Rectal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Rectum / surgery
  • Thigh* / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed