Clostridial myonecrosis resulting from subcutaneous epinephrine suspension injection.

A 32-year-old asthmatic man developed a life-threatening Clostridium perfringens infection after subcutaneous epinephrine suspension injection. Extensive surgical debridement, including forequarter amputation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and appropriate antibiotics were used as life-saving measures. The patient made a fair functional recovery. We could find no previously reported cases of gas gangrene following subcutaneous injection in otherwise healthy individuals. The pathogenesis and treatment of this infection are discussed.