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Clostridium septicum Gas Gangrene Complicated by Cerebral Air Embolism

Tânia Lopes1, Paulo Conceição1, António Costa2

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, PRT.

Cureus
|July 10, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Clostridium septicum, a rare cause of gas gangrene, can lead to severe complications like air embolism. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for necrotizing soft tissue infections, and colorectal cancer screening is vital in survivors.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Clostridium septicum (C. septicum) is an uncommon pathogen causing necrotizing soft tissue infections.
  • These infections are frequently linked to underlying gastrointestinal pathology.
  • C. septicum can rarely cause systemic complications, including air embolism.

Observation:

  • An 85-year-old male with diabetes presented with fever, progressing to gas gangrene in the left upper limb and chest wall.
  • Neurological decline, including motor aphasia, prompted a brain CT.
  • Brain CT revealed an infarction with gas bubbles in the left anterior cerebral artery territory, indicative of air embolism.

Findings:

  • CT confirmed gas gangrene in soft tissues.
  • C. septicum was identified in blood cultures and surgical debridement samples.
  • The patient experienced initial improvement but ultimately succumbed to the infection.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for C. septicum to cause severe, disseminated disease, including arterial air embolism.
  • Rapid diagnosis and aggressive management, including antibiotics and surgical debridement, are critical for necrotizing soft tissue infections.
  • Colorectal cancer screening is essential for patients surviving C. septicum infections due to the strong association.
Keywords:
cerebral air embolismclostridium septicumcolorectal cancergas gangrenenecrotizing fasciitispneumocephalussoft tissue infection

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