Gas gangrene in a diabetic after intramuscular injection.

A 47 year old male insulin-dependent diabetic developed two synchronous life-threatening Clostridium perfringens infections under unusual circumstances. Numerous sterile abscesses were also present, being the result of regular pentazocine intramuscular injections. Extensive surgical debridement and parenteral antibiotic therapy proved effective in treating the septicaemia and the large soft tissue abscesses in the buttock and thigh. The patient made an excellent functional recovery. The pathogenesis of gas gangrene after injection is discussed with particular reference to the diabetic patient.