Thermography of Clostridium perfringens infection in childhood

Gas gangrene is not a frequently encountered toxic wound infection in childhood. We present a case of postoperative Clostridium perfringens infection with proximal forearm myonecrosis. In order to reveal the full extent of tissue viability in the right upper extremity, infrared thermography was performed. Although dyschromia was evident in the proximal forearm, thermographs revealed viable tissue only up to the supracondylar region. Angiography, which provided valuable clues to the patency of the vascular supply, and subsequent intraoperative findings confirmed the extent of tissue perfusion as revealed by infrared thermography.