Wound botulism complicating internal fixation of a complex radial fracture.
Botulism developed in a patient following surgical repair of an open radial fracture. Symptoms resolved after treatment with antitoxin and antibiotics, and hardware excision was deferred. Subsequent osteomyelitis necessitated hardware exchange, and wound cultures grew Clostridium argentinense. This case highlights the management of botulism associated with orthopedic hardware.
Taylor
Steve M
SM
Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. steve.taylor@duke.edu
Wolfe
Cameron R
CR
Dixon
Terry C
TC
Ruch
David S
DS
Cox
Gary M
GM
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001904:Botulinum Antitoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001906:Botulism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D003013:Clostridium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000601:surgery; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001904:Botulinum Antitoxin