Logo Medical Science Monitor

Call: +1.631.470.9640
Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 02:00 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor

29 January 2009

Fournier's gangrene: historical survey, current status, and case description

Ryszard ZabaABEG, Andrzej GrzybowskiDEF, Janusz ProkopEF, Zbigniew ZabaBC, Czeslaw ZabaBD

Med Sci Monit 2009; 15(2): CS34-39 :: ID: 869545

Abstract

Background
The first-documented clinical picture of the disease was made by Fournier in 1883. Its epidemiology has changed and is much different from the original. It is infectious in its etiology, affecting mostly men between 50 and 60 years of age. Predisposing factors include diabetes, neoplasms, chronic glucocorticoid therapy, immune-compromise, chemo- and radiotherapy, immunosuppression, Crohn's disease, and alcohol abuse. High mortality results from the rapid progress of the disease, leading to quick development of septic shock and multi-organ failure. Most important in the treatment of Fournier's gangrene are surgical debridement of the wound, fascia incision and drainage of necrotic lesion, and intravenous antibiotic therapy. The typical picture of the disease might be hidden by concomitant disease.
Material and Method
A case of Fournier's gangrene in an 81-year-old woman with concomitant neurologic complications, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and chronic obstructed pulmonary disease is described. Three days after the suspected diagnosis, the decision was made to fully remove the necrotic tissue surgically. Despite all the efforts of the medical team, the patient died 14 days after being diagnosed with Fournier gangrene. The immediate cause of death was septic shock.
Results

Conclusions
In the early stages of the disease, before necrotic lesions occur, a final diagnosis might be difficult. In the present case, death was caused by the patient's advanced age, simultaneously appearing symptoms, and late surgical intervention, but mostly by lung failure.

Keywords: Necrosis - pathology, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, History, 21st Century, History, 20th Century, History, 19th Century, Fournier Gangrene - radiography, Aged, 80 and over

Add Comment 0 Comments

Editorial

01 April 2024 : Editorial  

Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug Resistance

Dinah V. Parums

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600

0:00

In Press

05 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research  

Role of Critical Shoulder Angle in Degenerative Type Rotator Cuff Tears: A Turkish Cohort Study

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943703  

06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research  

Comparison of Outcomes between Single-Level and Double-Level Corpectomy in Thoracolumbar Reconstruction: A ...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943797  

21 Mar 2024 : Meta-Analysis  

Economic Evaluation of COVID-19 Screening Tests and Surveillance Strategies in Low-Income, Middle-Income, a...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943863  

10 Apr 2024 : Clinical Research  

Predicting Acute Cardiovascular Complications in COVID-19: Insights from a Specialized Cardiac Referral Dep...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942612  

Most Viewed Current Articles

17 Jan 2024 : Review article  

Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron Variant

DOI :10.12659/MSM.942799

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799

0:00

14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research  

Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase Levels

DOI :10.12659/MSM.937990

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990

0:00

16 May 2023 : Clinical Research  

Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387

Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387

0:00

01 Jan 2022 : Editorial  

Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952

0:00

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750
Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750