Necrotizing Fasciitis: A Life-threatening Complication of Intraoperative Electromyography

Alireza Shoakazemi, Marc Moisi, R Shane Tubbs, Mary Wingerson, Olaide Ajayi, Michael E Zwillman, Jourdan Gottlieb, David Hanscom

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

Abstract

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is a commonly used practice during spine surgery. Complications of electromyography (EMG) needle electrode placement are very uncommon. We present a patient who was infected with necrotizing fasciitis in her left thigh due to an EMG needle electrode during a two-stage complex spine procedure. This case demonstrates that providers should continue to meticulously adhere to protocol when inserting and removing EMG needles, but also be cognizant during postoperative observation of the possibility of infection caused by EMG needles.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)e468
JournalCureus
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 25 2016

Keywords

  • Journal Article

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