WOUND BOTULISM

Wound botulism is a rare infectious and toxicologic complication of trauma and IV drug abuse. Only 39 cases have been reported in detail in the English literature. This case report describes a patient with wound botulism who presented to four medical facilities before receiving definitive diagnosis and treatment. Although his history and physical examination were consistent with wound botulism, diagnosis and therapy were delayed because this rare disease was not considered initially in the differential diagnosis. Wound botulism should be considered in trauma patients and IV drug abusers who present with cranial nerve palsies and descending paresis.