Streptococcal gangrene presenting as hip pain: two case reports and review of the literature.

Abstract

Two cases of streptococcal gangrene are reported. Both patients, with hip pain and no obvious source of infection, presented to the same orthopaedic team within a few days. After initial treatment with NSAIDs the outcome was fatal in the cases described. A review of the literature revealed that the administration of NSAIDs may accelerate the course of the disease. The authors conclude that this very rare cause of arthralgia and malaise should be excluded before the administration of NSAIDs for such complaints.