Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Breast Underlying an Autoimmune Disease

Necrotizing fasciitis is a serious soft tissue infection that causes necrosis of the subcutaneous tissues and the muscle fascia. It is associated with a high mortality rate of around 25%. Necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is a rare entity. It is a rapidly progressive life-threatening condition which can lead to sepsis with multiple organ failure. We describe a case of necrotizing fasciitis of the right breast in a 48-year-old patient diagnosed with systemic sclerosis-rheumatoid arthritis overlap syndrome.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is a very challenging diagnosis due to its rarity and similarity with simple breast infection.It is a life-threatening condition which can lead to systemic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and death.It may occur in patients with rheumatic diseases treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs.