Diagnostic studies for systemic necrotizing vasculitis. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value in patients with multisystem disease.

Forty patients with multisystem disease and suspected systemic necrotizing vasculitis were evaluated with a protocol designed to confirm the diagnosis with sequential testing. All patients underwent initial laboratory testing. Subsequent studies were individualized to the patient starting with "safe" tests (skin, muscle, rectal biopsies) and progressing to "invasive" tests (arteriography, kidney and lung biopsies). No single laboratory study was found to have adequate predictive value. Skin biopsy, rectal biopsy, and arteriography were insensitive, nonspecific, or had poor predictive values. Muscle biopsy was the most valuable safe procedure (sensitivity, 50%; specificity, 100%; predictive value, 100%; predictive value of negative biopsy, 76%; efficiency, 64%). A diagnostic approach to the patient with possible systemic necrotizing vasculitis is described.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the eyelids.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a destructive soft tissue infection that rarely involves the eyelids. Three cases of necrotizing fasciitis of the eyelids are described. Necrotizing fasciitis was preceded by minor forehead soft tissue trauma in two cases and occurred spontaneously in one. In two patients necrotizing fasciitis was bilateral and involved both the upper and lower eyelids. Review of these cases, in addition to 18 cases previously reported in the English literature, reveals a predominance in females, preceding minor local soft tissue trauma, frequent bilateral involvement, and an association with alcohol abuse and diabetes. In all of the patients, group A beta-hemolytic streptococci were cultured from the wound. Early recognition of the disease process, prompt surgical debridement of the necrotic tissue, aggressive antimicrobial therapy, and delayed skin grafting combine to minimize morbidity.

Aortitis due to metastatic gas gangrene.

Clostridium septicum bacteremia and its association with hematologic malignancy and colorectal cancer have been well recognized. Panwalker, in a recent review, discussed clostridial sepsis and other unusual infections associated with colorectal tumors, including streptococcal bovis and Bacteroides. He reports the coexistence of colorectal cancer and metastatic Clostridium septicum infections at multiple sites. We describe a case in which a patient with an occult cecal carcinoma develops Clostridium septicum sepsis and thoracic aortitis secondary to metastatic gas gangrene. This dramatic and unusual complication has not previously been documented. The necessity of colonic evaluation with Clostridium septicum bacteremia is discussed.