Clostridium Perfringens Septic Arthritis of the Sternoclavicular Joint

Abstract

Background: Clostridium perfringens septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint has not been reported previously.

Case report: We present the case of a 70-year-old patient with a history of stage IV colon cancer who presented to the emergency department with chest and neck pain for 3 days. After assessment, he was discharged home on analgesics. Within 24 h he returned, critically ill with C. perfringens septic arthritis of the left sternoclavicular joint and septic shock. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Emergency physicians should be aware of the possibility of C. perfringens sternoclavicular joint septic arthritis in patients with unexplained chest, shoulder, or neck pain, especially when associated with a history of colorectal carcinoma or immunosuppression. A finding of C. perfringens bacteremia should prompt a search for occult gastrointestinal malignancy.

Keywords: Clostridium perfringens; sternoclavicular joint; sternoclavicular septic arthritis.