Myonecrosis

Life-threatening necrotizing soft tissue infection commonly caused by the rapid proliferation and spread of Clostridium perfringens from a contaminated wound

Clinical presentation

  • Disproportionate muscle pain
  • Massive edema with skin discoloration that progresses from bronze to red-purple to black and overlying bullae
  • Can be no fever or cutanous manifestations
  • Can progress to systemic infection within a few hours

Investigations

  • Imaging - X-ray, CT or MRI typically show a characteristic feathering pattern of the soft tissue
  • Lab tests - Gram staining, wound culture, blood culture

Management

  • Immediate surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy