Disclaimer. Fournier In: Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2022. Fournier is unclear. An infection in the genital area or urinary tract causes this type of gangrene. Pain that is moderate to severe and starts around the abdomen. It usually affects men, but women also can get it. (2010) International surgery. Although extremely rare, it is important that Fournier's gangrene, if suspected, is treated immediately to avoid excessive debridement, multiple organ failure, amputation, or death (particularly if the infection reaches the blood). 9. Additionally, if you have diabetes and notice your glucose is elevated despite taking your insulin as instructed, please contact your healthcare provider. A foul odor coming from the infection site. FOIA Fourniers gangrene involves an infection in the scrotum (which includes the testicles), penis, or perineum. Typically, Fournier's gangrene presents with: Intense pain in the genital region, followed by waning pain as the nerve tissue become necrotic, Increased sensitivity in the genital region, Graying or blackening skin, a sign of tissue death. Fournier's gangrene is a rare, life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the The disease is one of the few urological emergencies and requires prompt surgical debridement as well as antibiotic therapy. Treatments include: You may also need reconstructive surgery after your infection is under control. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of FDA warns about rare occurrences of a serious infection of the Fournier gangrene is necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum. It covers every one of your organs, blood vessels, bones, nerve fibers and muscles and holds them in place. The most common anatomic region of gangrene involvement in females was labia (76%) followed by perineum (55%) and gluteus/buttocks (42%). Gangrene If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Policy. A condition that can damage the blood vessels and affect blood flow, such as diabetes or hardened arteries (atherosclerosis), increases the risk of gangrene. Accessed April 8, 2022. Also, look back at the "Prevention" section of this article for ways to reduce your risk of Fournier's gangrene. Its an infection that worsens quickly and requires emergency care. Ideally, a person will seek treatment fast enough to avoid having to remove an excess of skin and tissues. perianal abscess, fistula). It is also known as Fournier disease and necrotising fasciitis of the perineum and genitalia. PMC Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/18/2021. Swelling, blistering and a wet appearance are common features of wet gangrene. Fournier's gangrene: experience with 25 patients and use of Fournier's gangrene severity index score. [9] In addition to surgery and antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be useful and acts to inhibit the growth of and kill the anaerobic bacteria. It is defined as a necrotizing infection of the perineal, genital, or anorectal region. Your doctor may also use medical imaging to help them diagnose Fourniers gangrene and rule out other possibilities. The typical causes of death are spread of the infection into the bloodstream, which is known as sepsis, kidney failure, or multiple organ failure. All rights reserved. Infection of the bladder or urinary tract. Seeking help without hesitation, as early as possible, can help keep the infection from spreading. While its more common in men, women and children also can get it. When diagnostic tests are called for, they may include one or more of the following: Should a diagnosis not be made after these tests, a tissue sample may be taken and examined under a microscope to look for and determine the type of bacterial infection. Originally coined by Jean-Alfred Fournier in the 19th century, FG is noted to affect young men in good health. Simple reconstructive procedures following wound debridement yield satisfactory outcomes in majority of the cases..mw-parser-output .ambox{border:1px solid #a2a9b1;border-left:10px solid #36c;background-color:#fbfbfb;box-sizing:border-box}.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+link+.ambox{margin-top:-1px}html body.mediawiki .mw-parser-output .ambox.mbox-small-left{margin:4px 1em 4px 0;overflow:hidden;width:238px;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em}.mw-parser-output .ambox-speedy{border-left:10px solid #b32424;background-color:#fee7e6}.mw-parser-output .ambox-delete{border-left:10px solid #b32424}.mw-parser-output .ambox-content{border-left:10px solid #f28500}.mw-parser-output .ambox-style{border-left:10px solid #fc3}.mw-parser-output .ambox-move{border-left:10px solid #9932cc}.mw-parser-output .ambox-protection{border-left:10px solid #a2a9b1}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-text{border:none;padding:0.25em 0.5em;width:100%}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-image{border:none;padding:2px 0 2px 0.5em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-imageright{border:none;padding:2px 0.5em 2px 0;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-empty-cell{border:none;padding:0;width:1px}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-image-div{width:52px}html.client-js body.skin-minerva .mw-parser-output .mbox-text-span{margin-left:23px!important}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .ambox{margin:0 10%}}, While recent case series (n=980) studies have found a mortality rate of 2040%, a large (n=1641) 2009 study reported a mortality rate of 7.5%. WebFournier's Gangrene in Females: Presentation and Management at a Tertiary Center Female patients with FG have greater BMI but similar clinical presentation, microbiologic characteristics and mortality rate compared to men.