A Case of Clostridium septicum Aortitis With Concomitant Adenocarcinoma of the Cecum

Clostridium septicum aortitis is a rare infection that is strongly associated with underlying adenocarcinoma of the colon. We report a case of a 73-year-old woman with peripheral vascular disease who presented after 4 weeks of severe abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography showed thickening of the cecal wall and gas in the aortic wall. Colonoscopy revealed a large ulcerated moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma in the cecum. Blood cultures grew Clostridium septicum. The patient was offered surgical intervention but refused; she was treated with antibiotics and discharged home where she died 1 week later.