Leg hematoma infected with Streptococcus dysgalactiae was misdiagnosed as cellulitis in a 17-year-old girl: A case report

Abstract Adolescent patients frequently experience hematomas after injury, which usually resolve spontaneously in healthy individuals. Hematomas can present with a spectrum of clinical manifestations, from being asymptomatic to causing visible swelling. We describe the case of a 17-year-old female who developed an isolated pretibial hematoma on her left leg, which became infected with Streptococcus dysgalactiae . The large lesion was initially misdiagnosed as cellulitis. Close observation of her leg’s status and antibiotic response, prompt surgical intervention, and proper wound management likely contributed to her full recovery.