Spontaneous gas gangrene of the lower limb in a patient with rectal cancer: A fatal diagnostic pitfall

Abstract

Abstract Spontaneous gas gangrene of lower limb is rare. It may complicate digestive cancer or neutropenia. We report a case of spontaneous gas gangrene of the lower limb complicating a rectal cancer, initially diagnosed as deep vein thrombosis. The diagnostic delay was fatal.

Keywords

• delayed diagnosis
• gas gangrene
• rectal neoplasms