# Fulminant endogenous panophthalmitis caused by Clostridium septicum infection

## TL;DR

A rare and aggressive eye infection caused by Clostridium septicum was linked to an undiagnosed colon cancer in a 74-year-old man.

## Contribution

Highlights the importance of checking for gastrointestinal cancer in cases of C. septicum panophthalmitis.

## Key findings

- Clostridium septicum caused rapid and severe eye infection leading to evisceration.
- The infection originated from an undiagnosed colon adenocarcinoma.
- This case emphasizes the need to screen for gastrointestinal neoplasms in similar infections.

## Abstract

We report an unusual case of fulminant endogenous Clostridium
septicum panophthalmitis. A 74-year-old male patient presented with
sudden amaurosis in the right eye, which in a few hours, evolved into an orbital
cellulitis, endophthalmitis, anterior segment ischemia, and secondary
perforation of the eye. A complete diagnostic study, which included cranial and
orbital contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan, contrast-enhanced magnetic
resonance imaging, blood cultures, and complete blood work, were performed. No
causal agent was identified. Clostridium septicum infection
caused fulminant gaseous panophthalmitis. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotic
treatment, evisceration of the eyeball was necessary. The extension study showed
a colon adenocarcinoma as the origin of the infection. Clostridium
septicum panophthalmitis is a rare but aggressive orbital
infection. This infection warrants the identification of a neoplastic process in
the gastrointestinal tract in many cases not previously described.