2012, Number 2
Fournier’s Gangrene: evaluation with computed tomography
López BMW, Alba CJF, Guerrero AGML, Améndola MA, Casillas MJ
Full text
Language: Spanish
References: 10
Page: 98-103
PDF size: 239.53 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Fournier’s gangrene is a necrotizing fasciitis of the perineal, perianal, and genital regions, which affects persons of any age and gender; it is a surgical emergency with a mortality rate of up to 70% if the disease progresses.Material and methods: The clinical records and radiological studies of 4 patients admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida, over an 18-month period were examined, analyzing the role of computed tomography in evaluation and diagnosis of Fournier’s gangrene.
Discussion: Fournier’s gangrene is usually poly microbial and is associated with gas forming microorganisms, producing necrosis of tissues. The most common predisposing factors are diabetes mellitus and alcohol abuse. There are several pathways of dissemination of the infectious process, and in this case computed tomography is the imaging method that has proven most useful to establish a precise diagnosis and determine the extent of the inflammatory process. Early diagnosis of the condition is of vital importance because immediate surgical debridement is necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality in such patients.
Conclusions: Fournier’s gangrene is a severe inflammatory process of the perineal, perianal, and perigenital regions associated with high morbidity and mortality. At present computed tomography is the most effective imaging method to establish a diagnosis, because it allows the condition to be recognized rapidly and with high certainty.
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