J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg.  2007 Jan;34(1):134-136.

Erysipelas of the Upper Extremity Following Surgical Therapy for Breast Cancer

• Kwon H
• Kim HJ
• Jung SN
• Yim YM

Abstract

PURPOSE: Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of the dermis and hypodermis, mostly of streptococcal origin, and erysipelas of upper extremity following breast cancer treatment has never been reported in the Korean literature.
METHODS
39-year-old female presented to our hospital complaining of fever and painful swelling of her left upper extremity. She had a history of breast cancer and was treated with breast conserving surgery with axillary lymph node dissection, chemotherapy, and radiation. On physical examination, her left upper extremity showed vesicle, bullae, local heatness and erythema with well-defined margin. With these distinctive features of a skin lesion, we gave a diagnosis of erysipelas and started treatment with intravenous antibiotics.
RESULTS
Resolution of the signs and symptoms of erysipelas occurred after 7 days of treatment.
CONCLUSION
The diagnosis of erysipelas with distinctive feature of skin lesion is essential and we emphasize that the prevention of any trauma are very important in these patients for prophylactic measures.

Keyword

Erysipelas; Lymph edema

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bacterial Infections
Breast Neoplasms*
Breast*
Dermis
Diagnosis
Drug Therapy
Erysipelas*
Erythema
Female
Fever
Hot Temperature
Humans
Lymph Node Excision
Mastectomy, Segmental
Physical Examination
Skin
Subcutaneous Tissue
Upper Extremity*
Anti-Bacterial Agents