Necrotising soft tissue infection of the lower limb due to a perforated caecal carcinoma: a case report

INTRODUCTION: We report the first case to our knowledge where an ascending colorectal tumour presented as a necrotising lower leg infection. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the unusual presentation of a previously unknown caecal carcinoma in a 69-year-old Caucasian man, which presented as a rapidly spreading limb infection due to a perforated caecal adenocarcinoma. This case presented a diagnostic dilemma and we document the investigation and management in our patient and compare this to the current published literature. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, this case highlights how leg swelling and in particular, thigh and gluteal swelling, have the potential to be an unusual presentation of a caecal carcinoma.