Clostridium septicum gas gangrene of the gluteus maximus and an ascending colon malignant tumor. A case report.

Abstract

Clostridial myonecrosis is a complication associated with contaminated traumatized wounds. Presented is the case of an elderly female with pain in her right hip, radiographic evidence of gas in the soft tissues, and no history of trauma. Evaluation of this patient revealed Clostridial myonecrosis. Culture results identified the organism as Clostridium septicum. Due to the association between Clostridium septicum and occult malignancies, colonoscopic evaluation was performed. A colonic lesion was discovered, biopsied, resected, and staged, using the Modified Duke Classification, as a well differentiated adenocarcinoma, C2 lesion. Myonecrosis and its associated malignancies carry high morbidity and mortality, but early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and awareness of the association with occult malignancies may avert unnecessary mortality.