Imaging-guided diagnosis and treatment of severe deep thigh infection: Key considerations for limb-salvage over disarticulation

Abstract

Deep thigh infections can rapidly escalate to life-threatening sepsis, necessitating a multidisciplinary treatment approach. While successive debridements are crucial for removing necrotic tissue, in some cases, they may be insufficient, making more aggressive procedures like hip disarticulation a consideration. However, even in severe infections, a conservative approach can sometimes be successful, as demonstrated in our case report. This highlights the importance of not making quick decisions based solely on radiological and biological data; intraoperative findings and the patient's overall condition can significantly influence the outcome, potentially saving both limb and life.