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. 2014 Mar 1:8:80.
doi: 10.1186/1752-1947-8-80.

Necrotising soft tissue infection of the lower limb due to a perforated caecal carcinoma: a case report

Simon J Timbrell  1 , David Straiton, Elliot Breaks, Karim Sillah, Neil Khan
Affiliations

Necrotising soft tissue infection of the lower limb due to a perforated caecal carcinoma: a case report

Simon J Timbrell et al. J Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Introduction: We report the first case to our knowledge where an ascending colorectal tumour presented as a necrotising lower leg infection.

Case presentation: We describe the unusual presentation of a previously unknown caecal carcinoma in a 69-year-old Caucasian man, which presented as a rapidly spreading limb infection due to a perforated caecal adenocarcinoma. This case presented a diagnostic dilemma and we document the investigation and management in our patient and compare this to the current published literature.

Conclusions: Although rare, this case highlights how leg swelling and in particular, thigh and gluteal swelling, have the potential to be an unusual presentation of a caecal carcinoma.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Computed tomography scan showing the perforated caecal carcinoma and free air tracking down the iliopsoas into the lower limb.
Figure 2
Figure 2
This picture demonstrates the extensive debridement necessary to remove infection from the tracking abscess.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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