The foot as a primary site for distant metastatic infection
Sage, R.A.; Miller, J.M.; Stuck, R.; Pinzur, M.
Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery Official Publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons 33(6): 567-571
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 1067-2516 PMID: 7894403 Document Number: 438352
Localized foot infection can lead to generalized sepsis under certain conditions. Two diabetic patients who suffered from infected foot ulcers, even after treatment with debridement and appropriate antibiotics, developed distant site infection. Another diabetic patient developed a distant site abscess from a chronic foot infection, for which he initially sought no medical treatment. Evaluation revealed that one patient had a psoas muscle abscess, one a renal abscess, and one an epidural abscess. All three patients were treated aggressively for their infections. One recovered fully, while two expired from septic complications associated with their illnesses. These case histories, along with the chronology of the development of sepsis from a foot infection are presented.