Experience in Management of Fournier’s Gangrene: A Report of 24 Cases

Fournier’s gangrene (FG) is an extremely aggressive and rapidly progressive polymicrobial soft tissue infection of the perineum,anal area or genitalial regions with a high mortality rate.The objectives of this study were to share our experience with the management of this serious infectious disease over the last 15 years.This retrospective study examined 24 patients diagnosed as having FG who were admitted to our hospital between March 1996 and December 2011.The gender,age,etiology,predisposing factors,laboratory findings,treatment modality,hospitalization time and spread of gangrene of the subjects were all recorded and analyzed.The results showed that the mean age of the patients was 48.33 years,the male-to-female ratio was 5:1 and the mortality rate was 20.8% (5/24).The most common predisposing factor was diabetes mellitus in 10 patients (41.6%),followed by alcohol abuse,obesity,neoplasms and immunosuppression.The most common etiology was peri-anal and peri-rectal abscesses (45.8%),followed by lesions of urogenital origin (33.3%) and cutaneous (8.3%) origin.No local pathologies could be identified in 3 (12.5%) patients.The most commonly isolated microorganisms were Escherichia coli (62.5%),followed by Enterococcus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.The median admission Fournier’s gangrene severity index (FGSI) score for survivors was 5.63±1.89 against 13.6±3.64 for non-survivors which was designed for predicting the disease severity in the series.Early diagnosis and immediate extensive surgical debridement were significant prognostic factors in the management of Fournier gangrene.Individualized reconstructive modalities for wound coverage were useful in that they repaired the tissue defect and improved the quality of life.We are led to conclude that Fournier’s gangrene is a severe condition with a high mortality.The Fournier’s gangrene severity index (FGSI) score at admission serves as a good predictor for the disease severity.Early diagnosis,surgical debridement and aggressive fluid t     

Monoplace hyperbaric oxygen therapy for gas gangrene.

Untreated gas gangrene is a fulminating infection that can lead to extensive tissue necrosis and death. Hyperbaric oxygen, when used with antibiotics and surgical debridement, can lead to decreased mortality. Nine patients with gas gangrene proven by positive clostridial cultures have been treated at St Luke's Hospital of Kansas City with a mortality of 11.1%. A case of gas gangrene developing from a perirectal abscess is presented.     

Fournier's gangrene and diabetic ketoacidosis with lower-than-anticipated glucose levels associated with SGLT-2 inhibitor: A double trouble

Empagliflozin has a demonstrated cardiovascular benefit. It is co-prescribed as a glucose-lowering medication in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Herein, we discuss dual-emergency side-effects, Fournier's gangrene (FG) and diabetic ketoacidosis with lower-than-anticipated glucose levels in a patient on Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i). The pathophysiologic mechanism of FG in correlation with SGLT-2i is not yet elucidated. SGLT-2i increase predisposition to genital mycotic and urinary infections, a mechanism favouring FG. A patient with type II diabetes mellitus on SGLT-2i presented with acute necrotic infection of the scrotum and simultaneous diabetic ketoacidosis with lower-than-anticipated glucose levels. This dual emergency was managed with debridement and medical treatment on lines of diabetes ketoacidosis, respectively. A re-look at this group of glucose-lowering medications from bedside towards benchtop research may help to prod into any other mechanistic basis of these life-threatening clinical occurrences.     

炎症性肠病并发常见机会性病毒感染患者的临床特点及处理策略

炎症性肠病（IBD）是一种慢性炎症性肠道疾病，主要包括溃疡性结肠炎（UC）和克罗恩病（CD）。目前，虽然IBD的发病机制尚未完全明确，但已明确其是一种在胃肠道表现出异常免疫反应的自身免疫性疾病，因此包括激素、免疫抑制剂及生物制剂在内的药物治疗已成为IBD的主要治疗方式。免疫抑制剂等主要通过有针对性地干预免疫反应的不同阶段而达到治疗效果，但由于IBD患者营养状况、免疫功能较差及相关药物对免疫功能的抑制，其抵御病原体侵袭的能力被削弱，机会性感染风险明显升高。本文主要分析了IBD并发常见机会性病毒感染患者的临床特点及处理策略，以期为临床有效管理此类患者提供参考。     

Acute cholecystis following unrelated surgery

In a series of 26 cases of acute cholecystitis occurring after an operation for an unrelated condition, 88% of the patients were over 50 years of age and males outnumbered females by 2 to 1. In some of the cases diagnosis was difficult and delay was responsible for the death of one patient. Acalculous cholecystitis occurred in 20% of the cases and in these gangrene or perforation supervened early in the course of the disease.

Efforts should be directed to ensuring adequate hydration after operation; resumption of a diet low in fat may be important. Even in the absence of a history of biliary disease, there is a place for the radiological study of the biliary tract before major elective operations are performed. If gallstones are discovered on the occasion of the initial surgery, cholecystectomy should be performed whenever it is feasible. In any patient with postoperative cholecystitis early operation is generally indicated.

     

Deaths in visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) during treatment

Twenty-seven out of five hundred and fifty three patients hospitalized for visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) died during treatment with sodium antimony gluconate. Data from these patients were evaluated to find out the cause of death. Eight patients had associated diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis (3), severe malnutrition (1), acute gastroenteritis (1), spleenic infarction (1), acute renal failure (1) and atrial septal defect (1) which could be attributed to death. Twelve patients developed spontaneous haemorrhages from nose, gums and gastrointestinal tract and died, despite of adequate supportive measures. Seven other patients who were improving slowly with antimony therapy died unexpectedly. Though, cause of death could be explained in some patients with associated disease conditions, it could not be explained in others as significant clinical manifestations, haematological, biochemical and electrocardiographic alterations were not evident prior to death. Our impression is that mortality in Kala-azar patients during standard antimonial therapy is more related to the drug rather than the disease process.     

Tropical idiopathic lower limb gangrene: case report

Tropical idiopathic lower limb gangrene is a rare disease. It was first described by Gelfand amongst the indigenous inhabitants of present day Zimbabwe. It is a bilateral and simultaneous gangrene of both lower extremities due to no obvious cause and usually seen in men during the second and fourth decade of life. The onset is always sudden and the first sign is oedema of both feet accompanied by pain. The patients are usually people who have been previously healthy. This is a report of a clinical variant of the disease.     

大肠癌侵袭转移相关因素的研究

大肠癌是消化道常见的恶性肿瘤之一。近20年来,我国该病的发病率上升趋势十分明显。尽管治疗手段有了很大的进步,但5年生存率仍然很低。癌的侵袭转移是患者预后差和死亡的主要原因,而且它的发展是一个非常复杂的多环节、多步骤的连续过程,首先从癌细胞的脱落到转移灶的形成需要突破细胞外基质和基底膜构成的多个结构屏障。其过程受黏附分子和蛋白水解酶等多种因素的调控,对它们的研究可以预测大肠癌的侵袭转移和指导临床治疗。     

Rectal gangrene: a complication of phosphate enema

Three cases of rectal gangrene are reported. All cases were compromised with intercurrent illnesses and all patients had complicated haemorrhoids before the gangrene developed. Rectal gangrene as a complication of haemorrhoids is rare and, whereas reports have suggested that this complication is due to nozzle injury, we believe that it may be due to a direct necrotizing effect of the phosphate on the rectum. We no longer recommend its use in compromised patients.     

血清胃泌素水平与冠心病相关性研究

目的 研究血清胃泌素(gastrin)水平与冠心病(coronary heart disease,CHD)之间的关系.方法 采用病例对照研究方法,收集2013-2014年在我科住院的冠心病患者83例资料,冠心病的诊断根据冠脉造影所显示的结果,根据病变涉及的冠脉支数将其分为单支、2支、3支病变组,按照Gensini积分计算冠心病组人群的冠脉病变严重程度.以年龄、性别、是否有消化道疾病与冠心病组进行1∶1匹配,无冠心病且无重要脏器疾病为对照组.应用酶联免疫吸附法测定入选人群的空腹血清胃泌素水平(fasting serum gastrin,FG)及标准餐后1h血清胃泌素(PG1h)水平.结果 冠心病组较对照组PG1h及PG1 h/FG显著升高(P ＜0.01);Logistic回归模型控制冠心病的危险因素后发现PG1 h/FG是冠心病的危险因素;同时,在冠心病组中发现,PG1h/FG与冠脉病变严重程度的指标Gensini积分具有相关性,且成正相关(r2=0.453).结论 餐后1h血清胃泌素水平升高与冠心病相关,餐后1h血清胃泌素/空腹胃泌素与冠心病病变严重程度呈正相关.     

糖尿病足诊治护理概况

糖尿病足部病变是最令糖尿病患者痛苦的常见慢性并发症之一,也是致残、致死的重要原因。糖尿病足的基本病理变化是糖尿病患者由于合并神经病变使足部感觉障碍,合并周围血管病变,使下肢缺血失去活动能力。对于糖尿病患者来说,一个微小的足部创伤都可能会造成终身残废,轻者皮肤溃烂、化脓感染,重则发展成坏疽而截肢。因此,对糖尿病患者足部病损的预防尤为重要。     

Gangrene of the oesophago-gastric junction caused by strangulated hiatal hernia: operative challenge or surgical dead end

Background

Gangrene of the oesophago-gastric junction due to incarcerated hiatal hernia is an extremely uncommon emergency situation which was first recognized in the late nineteenth century. Early symptoms are mainly unspecific and so diagnosis is often considerably delayed. Aim of the study is to share experience in dealing with this devastating condition.

Material

We encountered three male patients with gangrene of the oesophago-gastric junction caused by strangulated hiatal hernia within the last years. Clinical symptoms, surgical procedures and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Furthermore, we provide a history outline on the evolving surgical management from the preliminary reports of the nineteenth century up to modern times.

Results

Early symptoms were massive vomiting accompanied by retrosternal and epigastric pain. Hiatal hernia was already known in all patients. Nevertheless, clinical presentation was initially misdiagnosed as cardiovascular disorders. Upon emergency laparotomy gangrene of the oesophago-gastric junction was obvious while in one case even necrosis of the whole stomach occurred after considerable delayed diagnosis. Transmediastinal esophagectomy with resection of the proximal stomach and gastric pull up with cervical anastomosis was performed in two cases. Oesophago-gastrectomy with delayed reconstruction by retrosternal colonic interposition was mandatory in the case of complete gastric gangrene. Finally all sufferers recuperated well.

Conclusions

Strangulation of hiatal hernia with subsequent gangrene of the oesophago-gastric junction is a life-threatening condition. Straight diagnosis is mandatory to avoid further necrosis of the proximal gastrointestinal tract as well as severe septic disease. Surgical strategies have considerably varied throughout the last 100 years. In our opinion transmediastinal oesophagectomy with interposition of a gastric tube and cervical anastomosis should be the procedure of choice if the distal stomach is still viable. Otherwise oesophago-gastrectomy is unavoidable. Delayed cervical anastomosis or reconstruction is advisable in instable, septic patients.     

Acupuncture Points for Treating Parkinson's Disease Based on Animal Studies

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a well-known neurodegenerative disease caused by dopaminergic cell death in the nigrostriatal pathway. Recent studies have shown that acupuncture can be a potential therapy for the treatment of PD, but it is not clear which acupuncture points (acupoints) play major roles in reliving symptoms of PD. Yanglingquan (GB 34), Zusanli (ST 36), Fengfu (GV 16), Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (GV 20) and Dazhui (GV 14) acupoints have frequently been to investigate the effectiveness and action mechanism of acupuncture for treating PD, but it is not clear why they were selected. This review summarizes the current understanding of the acupoints for PD treatment based on Oriental medicine theories and on the accumulated findings from previous animal studies. The results of this study will be useful to development of a strategy for future research in this field.     

Microbiology of salt rising bread

Salt rising bread (SRB) is an Appalachian traditional bread made without yeast, using a starter derived from flour, milk and potatoes. The "rising agent" has been identified as Clostridium perfringens, not salt, and is presumably derived from the environment. Although no cases of illness have been attributed to SRB, C. perfringens type A is a common cause of food poisoning from meats and gravies. Other C. perfringens isolates may cause enteritis necroticans (pig-bel disease) and gas gangrene. Past research documents that pathogenic strains derived from wounds may be used to produce bread and that bacteria isolated from this bread retain their pathogenicity. SRB starter samples were cultured at the University of Pittsburgh and abundant C. perfringens, type A grew out of all samples. However none of the cultures were positive for enterotoxin and thus would be unlikely to cause human food borne disease. While this does not preclude the possibility of other starter mixes containing enteropathogenic strains, the baking process appears to reduce bacterial contamination to safe levels and SRB has not been implicated in causing any human disease.     

下肢深静脉血栓形成的诊断与治疗

血栓栓塞常见于下肢深静脉,其预后可以是血栓完全消失,不留任何后遗症,也可以是因血栓引起肺栓塞而死亡。深静脉血栓形成可导致血栓形成后综合征:包括因静脉压力过高所导致的下肢疼痛、肿胀、色素沉着、皮炎、溃疡、静脉性坏疽和脂性硬皮病。目前尚无一项单独的理想检查能提供下肢深静脉血栓特异性诊断,通常须做几种检查。随着低分子肝素的使用使深静脉血栓患者门诊治疗成为一种可能。     

老年急性脑梗塞患者血清CRP、FG、LP（a）的检测及临床意义探讨

目的：探讨血清C反应蛋白（CRP）、纤维蛋白原（FG）和脂蛋白（a）[LP（a）]对于老年急性脑梗塞诊断治疗的临床意义。方法：筛选急性脑梗塞疾病老年患者100例作为研究组,选择同时期100例健康老人作为对照组,运用免疫比浊法检测两组血清CRP、FG和LP（a）水平,比较两组间及研究组组内不同梗塞面积和梗塞病情的患者血清CRP、FG、LP（a）水平。结果：两组血清CRP、FG和LP（a）比较,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;老年急性脑梗塞患者脑部梗塞面积越大,患者血清CRP、FG和LP（a）水平越高,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;老年急性脑梗塞患者的病情越严重,患者血清CRP、FG和LP（a）水平越高,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：血清CRP、FG和LP（a）水平与老年急性脑梗塞的发生具有相关性,临床检测急性脑梗塞老年患者CRP、FG和LP（a）,对于该类患者梗塞面积大小、病情严重程度,以及临床预后的评估具有积极意义,可将血清CRP、FG和LP（a）作为老年急性脑梗塞的重要危险指标。     

The features and aetiology of Fournier's gangrene.

This paper reports a clinical study of 20 cases of gangrenous ulcers of the scrotum and/or of the penis (Fournier''s gangrene) and a review of previous publications. Even though found mostly in elderly male patients, the disease spares no age group and can involve the external genitalia in neonates and women as well. The disease is a necrotising fasciitis of infective origin and always has a portal of entry of the infecting organisms even though it may be so trivial as to be undetected. The commonest portals of entry of infection are periurethral sepsis, groin wound sepsis, anorectal sepsis, prostatic sepsis and trauma. The infecting organisms comprise both aerobic and anaerobic organisms such as Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, enterococci, Bacteroides fragilis and anaerobic streptococcus. Fournier''s gangrene is probably the same disease as necrotizing fasciitis occurring in other parts of the body, but modified by the peculiar anatomy of the genitoperineum.     

炎性级联反应在心肌梗死发展过程中的作用及药物治疗研究

急性心肌梗死具有高发病率和高病死率的特点,其病死率在中国呈总体上升趋势。心肌梗死后的心力衰竭是引起死亡的主要原因,其主要的病理生理过程是心室重塑,而炎性级联反应在心衰的进展过程中发挥了重要影响。目前,以炎症作为靶标治疗急性心肌梗死已成为临床研究的新方向,但仍存在对复杂性疾病治疗手段的精准性和综合调控等问题。中药安全性较高,预后良好,且已被证实对心血管疾病具有较好的防治效果。尽管中药治疗心肌梗死炎症仍存在着较多的问题,但随着对中药研究的不断深入,对于中药药效机制的研究也趋于完善,利用中药调控炎症级联反应,或可成为临床治疗心肌梗死研究及应用的新方向。     

The role of antiretroviral therapy in living long and living well

We have seen a dramatic increase in the types of antiviral strategies and numbers of specific antiviral agents that have emerged since the early 1980s when infection with the human immunodeficiency virus was first recognized. At the moment, zidovudine is the only drug approved by the FDA for treatment of HIV infection, and its indication is limited only to patients in the most advanced stages of immunodeficiency. Although zidovudine cannot "cure" HIV infection, it can significantly delay the seemingly inexorable course of immune system decline and buy some meaningful time for most HIV-1 infected patients, whether or not they have developed immunodeficiency. Other agents such as interferon alpha and the didoxynucleoside analogues, ddI and ddC, have also shown promise as antiretroviral agents, and it is hoped they will be proved, in the near future, capable of delaying the progression of immune system destruction by HIV-1. Other related treatment modalities such as the use of PCP prophylactic regimens also have succeeded in decreasing the incidence of opportunistic infections and thereby improving survival. It is likely that future strategies will involve the use of alternating, multidrug regimens both to reduce selective pressure for the development of drug resistance and to minimize the toxicity of single-agent therapy. The sum of these developments has been to change the prognosis of HIV infection. A disease once viewed as an automatic death warrant is now in the process of becoming a chronic, potentially long-term treatable illness.     

Nonclostridial gas gangrene. Report of 48 cases and review of the literature.

Gangrenous lesions accompanied by evidence of subcutaneous gas usually are diagnosed as "clostridial gas gangrene." The occurrence of nonclostridial gas gangrene has been infrequently reported and is thought to be relatively rare. Review of 278 admissions of diabetic patients with orthopedic vascular problems disclosed a 17% (48 patients) incidence of nonclostridial gas infections and a 3% (one patient) occurrence of clostridial gas gangrene. Clinical characteristics ranged from severe to benign toxicity. Appreciation of the causative organisms (usually mixed Gram-negative rod and enterococcus) of this syndrome is essential, especially in the diabetic patient, since appropriate antibiotic therapy and surgery can result in a low mortality (4%) and a high incidence (80%) of ambulatory, independent patients.