Clostridium septicum arthritis and aortitis in a patient with underlying colon cancer.

Abstract

Learning point for clinicians Clostridium septicum infection without associated traumatic injury should always prompt clinicians to pursue further diagnosis of an underlying malignancy. This primarily includes the necessity of colonoscopy for diagnosis or exclusion of colorectal cancer. Further work up for hematologic malignancy should be performed if colorectal cancer is excluded. An 86-year-old man presented with left knee pain and swelling for 1 day that significantly limited his mobility. He also complained of constantly present lower abdominal tenderness, without alleviating or exacerbating factors. He denied any fevers, chills, night sweats or weight loss. He had a history of bilateral knee arthroplasty 40 years prior. Initial physical examination revealed a tender and swollen left knee without surrounding erythema. There was severe limitation in range of motion due to pain. Laboratory examination revealed leukocytosis of 24.6 bil/l. Twenty milliliters of purulent, milky, …