Pathology Image Of the Month: Rapidly Progressive Hemorrhagic Cellulitis of Bilateral Lower Extremities with Subsequent Septic Shock and Death.

A 51-year-old man presented to a community based emergency department with bilateral lower extremity swelling that began four days prior and that had evolved into recent blister formation on the left lower extremity. Medical history was significant only for hypertension and a recent self-described episode of "food poisoning" five days earlier characterized by diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting that quickly resolved. Physical exam revealed marked bilateral lower extremity edema and an ecchymotic rash below the knee. In addition to the rash, there were large flaccid bullae on the left leg, mostly intact but some notable for draining of scanty serosanguinous fluid. The patient was tachycardic with a rate of 114 bpm and initial labs showed thrombocytopenia (platelets 56 x 103/uL [140-440 x 103/uL]), hypoglycemia (15mg/dl [70-105mg/dl]), an elevated creatinine (2.7mg/dL [0.7- 1.25mg/dL]), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST 156U/L [5- 34U/L]). Two sets of blood cultures were drawn, broad spectrum antibiotics including doxycycline were empirically initiated and then he was subsequently transported to a tertiary care hospital for escalation of care. Within hours of presentation to the tertiary care facility, the rash appeared progressively hemorrhagic and bullous, lactic acidosis and coagulopathy developed and hemodynamic instability and septic shock necessitated endotracheal intubation and vasopressors. He was taken to the operating room for skin debridement but was emergently converted to bilateral above the knee lower extremity amputations due to the extent of the soft tissue necrosis. The patient remained intubated and in critical condition following surgery and the ecchymotic rash reappeared at the amputation sites. A newly developed ecchymotic rash with bullae formation was noted on the right upper extremity forearm. At that time, the clinicians were notified that four out of four blood culture bottles from admission were rapidly growing a microorganism. The family elected for withdrawal of care, and the patient died approximately 72 hours following presentation. A full and unrestricted autopsy was authorized by the Coroner's Office.