@Article{Gruszczyńska2025,
journal="Medycyna Paliatywna/Palliative Medicine",
issn="2081-0016",
volume="17",
number="3",
year="2025",
title="Gas gangrene of the lower limbs as a complication after rectal cancer radiotherapy",
abstract="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.",
author="Gruszczyńska, Anna
and Reweda-Kwiatkowski, Konrad
and Waloryszak, Arkadiusz
and Kowalik, Krzysztof
and Kołaczyk, Katarzyna
and Hetman, Katarzyna
and Gajek, Bartosz
and Smogór, Martyna
and Modrzejewski, Andrzej",
pages="184--189",
doi="10.5114/pm.2025.154587",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/pm.2025.154587"
}