Spontaneous gas gangrene: an unusual complication of colonic carcinoma

Clostridium septicum myonecrosis is an acutely painful and rapidly fatal infection occurring in the absence of trauma. Urgent surgery is essential both to maximize survival and to provide effective pain control. The majority of patients who develop this infection have an underlying malignancy and clinicians involved in the care of cancer patients should be aware of this condition. We present a case report and summarize the literature to date.