Clostridium septicum-induced gangrene in the right lower extremity complicating pneumatosis in the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery and occlusion of right femoral artery: a case report

• Main Authors: Hui-Dan Jing, Lei Li, Jun-Ying Tian, Dong-Po Jiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2021-09-01
• Series: BMC Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: Clostridium septicum; Gas gangrene; Air embolism; Artery occlusion; Case report
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06653-z

Abstract Background Gas gangrene is usually manifested as myonecrosis and subcutaneous gas accumulation, but rarely manifested as arterial occlusion or pneumatosis in the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Case presentation We report a case of gas gangrene caused by Clostridium septicum. The patient developed gas gangrene after being pecked by a chicken but turned for the better following antibiotic treatment and debriment. Imaging test revealed a rare occlusion of the right femoral artery and pneumatosis in the right ventricle and the main pulmonary artery. Conclusions In the presence of gas gangrene, special care must be taken to prevent against the formation of circulatory air embolism. The gas gangrene-induced gangrene in the limb of this patient might be attributed to the combined action of infection and arterial occlusion. MDT (Multidisciplinary team)-Green Channel mode is conductive to treatment success of gas gangrene.