Necrotising soft tissue infection of the lower limb due to a perforated caecal carcinoma: a case report

INTRODUCTION We report the first case to our knowledge where an ascending colorectal tumour presented as a necrotising lower leg infection. CASE PRESENTATION We describe the unusual presentation of a previously unknown caecal carcinoma in a 69-year-old Caucasian man, which presented as a rapidly spreading limb infection due to a perforated caecal adenocarcinoma. This case presented a diagnostic dilemma and we document the investigation and management in our patient and compare this to the current published literature. CONCLUSIONS Although rare, this case highlights how leg swelling and in particular, thigh and gluteal swelling, have the potential to be an unusual presentation of a caecal carcinoma.