title: Gas gangrene and osteomyelitis of the foot in a diabetic patient treated with tea tree oil.
abstract: Diabetic foot wounds represent a class of chronic non-healing wounds that can lead to the development of soft tissue infections and osteomyelitis. We reviewed the case of a 44-year-old female with a diabetic foot wound who developed gas gangrene while treating her wound with tea tree oil, a naturally derived antibiotic agent. This case report includes images that represent clinical examination and x-ray findings of a patient who required broad-spectrum antibiotics and emergent surgical consultation. Emergency Department (ED) detection of these complications may prevent loss of life or limb in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Hyperbaric Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, EMSTAT Center/550 East Genesee, Syracuse, New York 13202, USA.
authors.forename: Derek R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Cooney
authors.forename: Norma L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Cooney