Emphysematous Cellulitis of the Hip and Thigh Resulting from Enteric Fistula

¹ From the Sections of Orthopedic Surgery and the Section of Surgery, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester

In the two cases presented, acute non-clostridial emphysema of the hip and thigh was the result of enteric fistulae that dissected into the fascial planes of the hip. Emphysema may be produced by the introduction of coliform organisms into the tissue of the diabetic patient or by the extension of an iliopsoas abscess into the region of the lesser trochanter. Extension of an iliopsoas abscess may occur from emphysematous perirenal abscesses in patients with diabetes mellitus or from perforating lesions of the gastro-intestinal tract. Adequate surgical drainage of the hip and thigh is necessary in conjunction with or prior to the treatment of the primary disease.

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