Acute Neuromuscular Weakness in a Boy With a Facial Abscess Contaminated With Clostridium Botulinum

Abstract

Wound botulism arising from skin and soft tissue infection is rare in children, most cases being reported in adult intravenous drug users. Cranial nerve palsies are the primary presenting sign, followed by descending neuromuscular weakness. Diagnosis relies on isolation of either toxigenic Clostridium botulinum species or toxin from wound or blood samples. We present an unusual case of wound botulism in a pediatric patient with the intent to inform the reader and improve the time to diagnosis in such cases.