J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2004 Nov;45(11):1950-1955.

A Case of Non-Clostridial Gangrenous Panophthalmitis

• Kim DY
• Kim HK
• Ha GI

Abstract

PURPOSE
To report a case of non-clostridial gangrenous panophthalmitis extended directly from adjacent gangrenous skin infection METHODS: A 62-year-old woman, with diabetes mellitus, was admitted to ICU after explorative laparotomy for panperitonitis, retroperitoneal hemorrhage, and disseminated intravascular coagulation caused by traffic accident. She was referred to the ophthalmologic department because of necrotizing skin infection and panophthalmitis extended directly from an adjacent skin infection, which had developed after superficial abrasion on the left forehead. RESULTS: Necrotizing gangrenous skin infection with subcutaneous emphysema had rapidly progressed to her left face and there was panophthalmitis with subconjunctival gas bubbles. Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Enterococcus faecalis were cultured from the skin wound and aqueous humor, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Serratia marcescens were cultured from sump drainage. She died after 3 days because of sepsis, acute renal failure, and multiple organ failure. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should always keep in mind that a serious infectious disease like non-clostridial gas gangrene can develop even from a superficial skin wound in immunocompromised patients like diabetics.

Keyword

Gas gangrene; Non-clostridial; Panophthalmitis

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Traffic
Acinetobacter baumannii
Acute Kidney Injury
Aqueous Humor
Communicable Diseases
Diabetes Mellitus
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Drainage
Enterobacter aerogenes
Enterococcus faecalis
Female
Forehead
Gas Gangrene
Hemorrhage
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Laparotomy
Middle Aged
Multiple Organ Failure
Panophthalmitis*
Proteus mirabilis
Sepsis
Serratia marcescens
Skin
Subcutaneous Emphysema
Wounds and Injuries