Lumbosacral necrotizing fasciitis after thoracic drainage: a case report documenting subcutaneous and fascial spread

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) rarely spreads from the chest to the lumbosacral region. We report a fatal case in a 61-year-old man, documented by serial imaging and surgical exploration, that provides strong evidence suggesting subcutaneous and fascial spread of infection from a thoracic drainage site. This case highlights a rare but deadly complication and suggests that increased vigilance may be warranted in immunocompromised patients.