Thermography of Clostridium perfringens infection in childhood

Gas gangrene is not a frequently encountered toxic wound infection in child hood. We present a case of postoperative Clostridium perfringens infection with proximal forearm myonecrosis. In order to reveal the full extent of ti ssue viability in the right upper extremity, infrared thermography was perf ormed. Although dyschromia was evident in the proximal forearm, thermograph s revealed viable tissue only up to the supracondylar region. Angiography, which provided valuable clues to the patency of the vascular supply, and su bsequent intraoperative findings confirmed the extent of tissue perfusion a s revealed by infrared thermography.