Spontaneous gas gangrene associated with occult carcinoma of the colon: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

Clostridium septicum infection is a rare cause of spontaneous nontraumatic gas gangrene. The resultant myonecrosis is acutely painful and rapidly fatal. The infection occurs in the absence of trauma and is usually associated with an underlying malignancy. A case of spontaneous gas gangrene of the upper limb caused by C. septicum infection associated by carcinoma of the colon is presented, with a review of the literature.