Palliative Medicine
eISSN: 2081-2833
ISSN: 2081-0016
Medycyna Paliatywna/Palliative Medicine
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3/2025
vol. 17
 
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abstract:
Case report

Gas gangrene of the lower limbs as a complication after rectal cancer radiotherapy

Anna Gruszczyńska
1
,
Konrad Reweda-Kwiatkowski
2
,
Arkadiusz Waloryszak
1
,
Krzysztof Kowalik
3
,
Katarzyna Kołaczyk
4
,
Katarzyna Hetman
5
,
Bartosz Gajek
6
,
Martyna Smogór
7
,
Andrzej Modrzejewski
3

  1. Zakład Medycyny Sądowej, Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Szczecinie
  2. Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu, Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Szczecinie
  3. Oddział Kliniczny Chirurgii Ogólnej, Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Szczecinie
  4. Zakład Diagnostyki Obrazowej i Radiologii Interwencyjnej, Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny nr 1 Pomorskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Szczecinie
  5. Oddział Onkologii Klinicznej, Zachodniopomorskie Centrum Onkologii w Szczecinie
  6. Oddział Kliniczny Chirurgii Dziecięcej, Onkologicznej, Urologii i Chirurgii Ręki, Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Szczecinie
  7. Wydział Lekarsko-Stomatologiczny, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny
Medycyna Paliatywna 2025; 17(3): 184–189
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/pm.2025.154587
Online publish date: 2025/09/25
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The authors present the case of an 83-year-old man who underwent rectal resection due to cancer. In the further complementary treatment, radiotherapy and chemotherapy were applied. Following radiotherapy, the patient developed a rectal enterocutaneous fistula. Computed tomography revealed a small amount of fluid, the presence of pathological fluid collections located intermuscularly and interfascially, as well as a significant amount of gas bubbles and air spaces at the level of the left buttock. Below the level of the left trochanter was located massive emphysema of the soft tissues of the thigh, knee, lower leg, and partially of the foot. Despite treatment, the patient’s condition gradually deteriorated, ultimately leading to death. The authors conducted a review of the global literature and, in relation to the presented case, discuss the rare complication of radiotherapy: gas gangrene of the lower limbs.
keywords:

rectal cancer, metastasis, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, complications, subcutaneous gangrene, gas gangrene
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