Spontaneous Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection and Fatal Clostridium septicum Septicemia in Myelodysplastic Syndrome: A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review

TL;DR

This case report describes a fatal soft tissue infection in an elderly patient with blood cancer.

Contribution

Highlights the rare and aggressive presentation of NSTI in myelodysplastic syndrome patients.

Findings

NSTI rapidly progressed to septic shock and death in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome.

Clostridium septicum was identified in blood cultures, indicating severe systemic infection.

Abstract

Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) is a rare but life-threatening disease characterized by rapid spread and necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and muscle. We present a fatal case of atraumatic NSTI involving the left lower extremity in an 80-year-old female with advanced myelodysplastic syndrome. Blood cultures grew Clostridium septicum and Staphylococcus epidermidis, the latter thought to be a blood contaminant. The patient rapidly progressed to septic shock and died within 34 hours of presentation. Our case emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion for NSTI in patients with advanced malignancies.

Figures