Abstract
Clostridium septicum accounts for 1% of all reported clostridial infections. C septicum infections are most often nontraumatic in nature and associated with either an occult
colonic or hematologic malignancy. The initial presentation of a C septicum infection can be relatively benign with rapid progression to fatality without emergent
treatment. Presented is a case of necrotizing fasciitis of the forefoot caused by
C septicum associated with an occult adenocarcinoma of the colon in a patient with uncontrolled
diabetes. The process we used to achieve successful functional limb preservation based
on rapid surgical intervention and use of a multidisciplinary approach to medical
and surgical management of this patient is discussed in detail, as well as a through
review of the literature regarding the association between malignancies and C septicum infections.
Level of Evidence
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 30, 2009
Footnotes
Disclaimer: The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private view of the author and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.
Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Conflict of Interest: None reported.
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
