Multiple myeloma complicated by necrotizing fasciitis

: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but often fatal soft-tissue infection primarily involving the superficial fascia and fat tissue resulting in extensive undermining of surrounding tissues. Skin is initially spared, but as necrotizing fasciitis spreads, all the soft-tissue components, including the skin, become involved. The progression of necrotizing fasciitis is often fulminant, and the prognosis depends to a large extent on the rapidity of correct diagnosis and surgical treatment (debridement). Most of the patients affected with necrotizing fasciitis have some risk factors: chronic general or local diseases, leukopenia, immunodeficiency diseases, malignancies, and an age of 50 years or more. The author reported the occurrence of necrotizing fasciitis in a 69-year-old man with multiple myeloma during the granulocytopenic phase after chemotherapy. The successful treatment of necrotizing fasciitis in the present case relied not only on surgical debridement, but also on G-CSF administration.