ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 5

Spontaneous Clostridial Myonecrosis
Ray, D
Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Butterworth Hospital, MI

Lamb, P
Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, MI

Cohle, SD
Forensic Pathologist, Blodgett Memorial Medical Center, MI

(Received 4 November 1991; accepted 28 January 1992)

Abstract

Spontaneous, nontraumatic clostridial myonecrosis is a rare infection with an insidious onset and usually fatal outcome. Spontaneous clostridial myonecrosis has a frequent association with colon carcinoma, leukemia, diabetes mellitus, and drug-induced immuno-suppression. We present the case of a 73-year-old diabetic man who died of spontaneous Clostridium septicum myonecrosis, who had presented with fulminant gangrene of the right thigh. Clostridium septicum was cultured from the quadriceps muscle postmortem.

At autopsy, in addition to the gangrene, there was a Duke's A adenocarcinoma of the cecum, which had not been diagnosed during life. When spontaneous nontraumatic clostridial myonecrosis is diagnosed at autopsy, investigation should include thorough exam and the obtaining of past medical history in order to elucidate predisposing factors.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, clostridial myonecrosis, diabetes mellitus, colon carcinoma

Paper ID: JFS13335J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13335J
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