Embolia Cutis Medicamentosa - A Case Report

Abstract

Embolia cutis medicamentosa is a rare complication of intramuscular injury that leads to varying degrees of necrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. In 1924, embolia cutis medicamentosa or Nicolau syndrome (NS) was first portrayed after an intragluteal injection of bismuth salts was given for the treatment of syphilis but it has now been documented with several drugs. (Murthy et al., 2007)1. According to one hypothesis, embolia cutis medicamentosa occurs when an intramuscular drug is accidentally injected into the arterial lumen or wall, leading to vessel thrombosis, subcutaneous tissue and muscle necrosis (Senel et al., 2010)2. Necrosis develops after hyperemia, skin discoloration usually associated with severe pain and wide inflammatory livedoid dermatitis and haemorrhagic patch at the injection site (Hamilton et al., 2008)3. Severe cases may take an immediate clinical course and anticipate to death.