Case Report: Nicolau syndrome due to etofenamate injection

Introduction

Nicolau syndrome is a rare complication caused by intramuscular injection of various medications¹. The necrosis in the injection site of skin and sometimes muscle is a characteristic feature of this syndrome¹. The development of acute vasospasm following intravenous or around the vein injection is the most widely accepted hypothesis in its pathogenesis¹. Etofenamate is an anti-inflammatory drug that non-selectively inhibits the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway². Herein, we present a rare case of Nicolau syndrome after etofenamate injection.

Case report

An 81-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic with a painful necrotic ulcer in the left gluteal region. Her medical history, which was non-specific, except for back pain, revealed an intramuscular etofenamate injection (1000 mg), due to back pain, 15 days before. Dermatological examination revealed a painful ulcerous plaque with a black necrotic crest in the lateral part of the left gluteal region. This ulcerous plaque appeared indurated and erythematous in its surrounding (Figure 1). Her complaints started with erythematous swelling and pain in the injection site approximately ten days ago. Subsequently, the ulcer developed in the lesion area of the patient's erythematous swelling. There were not any abnormal parameters in both complete blood count and routine biochemistry tests. The patient was diagnosed with Nicolau syndrome based on her medical history and clinical signs and symptoms. Biopsy from the lesion area was not obtained, as it could develop more necrosis in the lesion. Etofenamate treatment was discontinued.

Figure 1. Black, necrotic ulcerated plaque on the gluteal region 15 days following etofenamate injection.

Local wound care with saline solution once a day and topical 2% mupirocin twice a day was applied to the lesion and the patient was referred to the Department of Plastic Surgery for the debridement of the necrotic tissue. After surgical debridement by the plastic surgeon, and continuation of local wound care (as above), the ulcer lesion was completely regressed, leaving an atrophic scar after one month (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Large atrophic, deppressed scar on the gluteal region one month following treament.

Discussion

Nicolau syndrome, also known as embolia cutis medicamentosa, is defined as an iatrogenic syndrome following intramuscular injections. However, cases with Nicolau syndrome after subcutaneous, intravenous, or intraarticular injection have been recently reported in the literature^3–5.

Although the pathogenesis of Nicolau syndrome is not fully understood, direct vascular damage, perivascular inflammation, and vascular contraction following an injection are thought to be responsible⁶. In addition, it has been suggested that pharmacological properties of an individual drug may play a role in the pathogenesis⁶.

Etofenamate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects. It inhibits the COX pathway and blocks prostaglandin synthesis non-selectively². It has been shown that NSAIDs play a key role in the pathogenesis of vascular spasm induction and local circulation blockage, inhibiting the COX enzyme and prostaglandin synthesis⁷. In addition, these drugs have a central role in inducing vascular spasm and blocking local circulation, inhibiting the COX enzyme and prostaglandin synthesis in the pathogenesis of this syndrome⁷.

In Nicolau syndrome, following the injection of the clinically active agent, erythematous, ecchymosed, and reticular lesions appear in the injection site with severe pain. Progressive ischemic necrosis with sharp edges in a livedoid pattern develops later. Lesions often heal leaving atrophic scars⁸.

Nicolau syndrome has no definitive treatment. In the early period, the main goal of therapy is to prevent the development of necrosis. Therefore, pentoxifylline, hyperbaric oxygen, intravenous alprostadil, and heparin, which strengthen the vasculature, can be used⁴. Intralesional steroid injection can also be effective by reducing inflammation. Surgical debridement should be performed in the case of necrosis⁴. Systemic antibiotics should be used in case of secondary infection⁴. Contraction and deformity development are among late complications, and surgical treatment can be required in these cases⁹. Nicolau syndrome is uncommon with proper injection techniques - aspirating just before injecting medication has been suggested as a technique of preventing this syndrome¹⁰.

Conclusion

As a result, applications of standard drug injection rules are essential in prevention from Nicolau syndrome. It should be kept in mind that Nicolau syndrome could also develop following the use of intramuscular etofenamate.

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of the patient’s clinical details and accompanying images.