Gas Gangrene after an Intramuscular Injection: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT

Gas gangrene is a necrotic infection of soft tissue associated with a high mortality, often necessitating amputation to control the infection. It is mainly caused by Clostridium perfringens which is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-bearing bacillus widely found in nature, particularly in soil and feces. Incubation time for gas gangrene is short, usually <24 h, and the physical finding of crepitus is characteristic in the setting of soft tissue infection. Herein, we present a case of gas gangrene of the gluteal region and thigh following an intramuscular injection where the patient was treated with multiple debridements, antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy; a review of the literature is presented here.