[Generalized clostridial infection in a 60-year-old patient with massive soft tissue emphysema on thoracic...

We report a case of a 60-year-old patient with progressive soft tissue emphysema caused by infection with clostridium septicum. In contrast to a rather linear spread of air in non infectious soft tissue-emphysema, in this case a mainly vesicular spread of air in the soft tissue is noted on plain films. Together with the clinical history, this finding may indicate an infectious cause. The radiological interpretation is an important step in the diagnostical workup.