# 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.

## Key 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.