Spontaneous clostridial myonecrosis in a man with drug-induced agranulocytosis

A middle-aged man had spontaneous clostridial myonecrosis during a period of neutropenia caused by drug-induced agranulocytosis. This complication in the absence of any prior cytotoxic chemotherapy or any evidence of an ileocecal neoplasm argues for the central role of neutropenia in the development of this rare syndrome. Survival of the patient was dependent upon prompt, aggressive medical and surgical management and the spontaneous recovery of the neutrophil count.