What are the four types of gangrene?
Types of gangrene
- Dry gangrene. This type of gangrene involves dry and shriveled skin that looks brown to purplish blue or black.
- Wet gangrene. Gangrene is referred to as wet if there’s a bacterial infection in the affected tissue.
- Gas gangrene.
- Internal gangrene.
- Fournier’s gangrene.
- Meleney’s gangrene.
Why is it called Fournier’s gangrene?
It was first described by Baurienne in 1764 and is named after a French venereologist, Jean Alfred Fournier, following five cases he presented in clinical lectures in 1883.
Can Fournier’s gangrene be cured?
Fournier’s gangrene is a rapidly progressing, tissue-destroying infection on the genitals and nearby areas. It’s a medical emergency that can be fatal without immediate treatment.
What are the warning signs of gangrene?
General symptoms of gangrene include:
- initial redness and swelling.
- either a loss of sensation or severe pain in the affected area.
- sores or blisters that bleed or release a dirty-looking or foul-smelling discharge (if the gangrene is caused by an infection)
- the skin becoming cold and pale.
What does early stages of gangrene look like?
Gangrene Symptoms and Signs In dry gangrene, the skin is hard and black or purplish. In earlier stages, the skin may be pale and either numb or painful. In wet gangrene, the affected area will be swollen with blisters oozing fluid; and the area may be red and warm with a foul odor.
How do you rule out Fournier gangrene?
Ultrasound evaluation may achieve early differentiation between Fournier gangrene and an acute inflammatory process, such as epididymitis or orchitis. Computed tomography may help to determine the portal of entry and extension of the process, but is not indispensable and should not delay surgical treatment.
Is Fournier’s gangrene related to diabetes?
The bacteria usually get into the body through a cut or break in the skin, where they quickly spread and destroy the tissue they infect. Having diabetes is a risk factor for developing Fournier’s gangrene; however, this condition is still rare among diabetic patients.
Where does Fournier’s gangrene start?
Gangrene happens when body tissue is dead or is dying (known as necrosis) because of a lack of blood flow or a bacterial infection. Fournier’s gangrene involves an infection in the scrotum (which includes the testicles), penis, or perineum.
How does one get Fournier’s gangrene?
Fournier’s gangrene can occur when a person has a skin wound that allows bacteria, viruses, or fungi to get deeper into the body. Examples of these skin injuries include anorectal abscesses, surgical incisions, diverticulitis, rectal cancer, or genital piercings.
Can you have gangrene and not know it?
It’s also possible to experience internal gangrene, which affects your inner tissues or organs. In this case, you may not have any symptoms on your skin or limbs. However, you may have pain, an unexplained fever that lasts a long time, or low blood pressure. You may also experience confusion.