Case Report: Extensive Gangrene: A Rare Presentation of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 107; no. 6; pp. 1245 - 1249
• Main Authors: Banothu, Kiran Kumar, Dekate, Parag Shankarrao, Gupta, Priyanka, Reddy, Avinash, Immaneni, Satish Rao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Institute of Tropical Medicine 14.12.2022; The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Subjects: Biopsy; Case Report; Case reports; Child; Child, Preschool; COVID-19; Exanthema; Gangrene; Gangrene - etiology; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome - diagnosis
• ISSN: 0002-9637; 1476-1645
• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0252

A wide spectrum of cutaneous manifestations are reported in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). However, gangrenous changes are less frequently reported. A 3-year old boy, with a known case of unoperated tetralogy of Fallot, presented with a short history of fever, rash, and melena. The rash was black and diffuse, with a rapid progression. The patient was stable hemodynamically at admission, with pallor, grade II clubbing, edema, and oral ulcers. Inflammatory markers were raised. He developed gangrenous changes over the ears and acral areas. He had very high levels of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and was diagnosed as having MIS-C. Skin biopsy revealed near total epidermal necrosis with dermal vascular thrombi and negative immunofluorescence. Skin biopsy was positive for IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. He was treated with antibiotics, immunomodulation with steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasmapheresis. He had features of both micro- and macroangiopathy. Gradually the child improved, with residual deformity.