Abstract
A 66-year-old woman consulted us for hypogastric pain. On admission, she had no fever or symptoms of shock. A blood test indicated an increased inflammatory response. An abdominal computed tomography revealed hypertrophy of the ascending colon and ascites. We suspected penetration of the cecum and administered antibiotic treatment. The next day, she had severe hypotension and her level of consciousness was decreased. We immediately started treatment for shock, and it eventually subsided. We found that blood cultures were positive for Clostridium perfringens. At that time, the patient scored 5 in the Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) criteria, and we made the diagnosis of sepsis of penetration of the cecum. Ileocecal resection and intraperitoneal drainage were performed. Although we continued intensive care, the patient died approximately two days after surgery. The final diagnosis was cecal cancer, Stage II.
We completed a report of the infection of Clostridium perfringens and reviewed previous studies and case reports.
