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Potentially life-threatening emergency
Fournier gangrene
See also in: Cellulitis DDx,Anogenital
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed
Potentially life-threatening emergency

Fournier gangrene

See also in: Cellulitis DDx,Anogenital
Contributors: Samantha R. Pop MD, Susan Burgin MD, Lowell A. Goldsmith MD, MPH
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Fournier gangrene is the name given to necrotizing fasciitis involving the genital, perianal, or perineal regions.

Gangrene results when the infection leads to thrombosis of the regional subcutaneous blood vessels. It is usually polymicrobial. Escherichia coli is the most commonly isolated organism. Fournier gangrene results from anorectal abscesses, pressure ulcers, trauma to the anogenital region (eg, surgical procedures, episiotomies, chronic urethral catheterization, pubic hair shaving), or spread of infection from nearby perineal structures (eg, perianal glands, Bartholin ducts, urinary tract infection). Individuals with diabetes mellitus, spinal cord injuries, or chronic alcohol use disorder or who are otherwise immunosuppressed are at increased risk for Fournier gangrene. Men are affected much more frequently than women.

Patients with Fournier gangrene are acutely ill. They are often thought to have cellulitis that is not responding to standard antibiotic therapy. There is commonly a paucity of cutaneous findings in the early course of the disease. Pain is out of proportion to physical findings. Patients present with pain, swelling, and erythema in the genital region that rapidly evolves to bullae formation and skin necrosis. Signs of systemic illness such as fever, lethargy, hypotension, and tachycardia are present; these may progress to multiorgan failure.

The mortality of Fournier gangrene is high. Treatment includes broad-spectrum intravenous (IV) antibiotics and immediate surgical debridement of infected and devitalized tissue. If you are considering this diagnosis, contact a surgeon now.

Codes

ICD10CM:
N49.3 – Fournier gangrene

SNOMEDCT:
398318005 – Fournier gangrene

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References

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Last Reviewed:05/01/2019
Last Updated:05/01/2019
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Potentially life-threatening emergency
Fournier gangrene
See also in: Cellulitis DDx,Anogenital
A medical illustration showing key findings of Fournier gangrene : Fever, Hypotension, Bullae, Delirium, Edema, Erythema, Tachycardia, Ecchymosis, Gas in subcutaneous tissue, Genital
Clinical image of Fournier gangrene - imageId=316046. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'A crusted plaque on the mons pubis.'
A crusted plaque on the mons pubis.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.