Emergency diagnosis of Fournier's gangrene with bedside ultrasound

Fournier gangrene is a life-threatening infection of the scrotal skin. Although originally thought to be an idiopathic process, Fournier gangrene has been shown to have a predilection for patients with diabetes as well as chronic alcohol abuse; however, it can also affect patients with nonobvious immune compromise. Because of potential complications, it is important to diagnose the disease process as early as possible. Ultrasound has been previously described to aid in the diagnosis of Fournier's gangrene. In patients with low to moderate suspicion of Fournier gangrene, it may provide a rapid and reliable diagnosis and differentiate the pathological process from mimicking entities such as scrotal edema or cellulitis. We present 6 cases of Fournier's gangrene diagnosed in the ED at the patient's bedside using ultrasound. None of the patients had a history of diabetes, and 5 had sources of infection determined.     

Fournier gangrene associated with Crohn disease

A 17-year-old boy presented with Fournier gangrene associated with previously undiagnosed Crohn ileocolitis. Fournier gangrene was managed by débridement, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen. A diverting ileostomy was performed before skin grafting and scrotal reconstruction. Microscopy of a full-layer surgical sample from the terminal ileum revealed granulomas with multinucleated histiocytes, consistent with Crohn disease. Crohn disease was treated with mesalamine, metronidazole, 6-mercaptopurine, and infliximab. The patient was discharged on hospital day 32. At 6-month follow-up, reconstruction of his scrotum had completely healed. Ostomy output was normal.     

Fournier Gangrene from a Thirty-Two-Centimeter Rectosigmoid Foreign Body

Background

Medical and surgical problems associated with rectal foreign bodies are rare. Although most rectal foreign bodies can be removed without subsequent sequelae, they pose significant risk of infection.

Objectives

We report a patient with a 32-cm rectosigmoid foreign body and subsequent development of Fournier gangrene despite successful removal of the foreign body.

Case Report

A 63-year-old Caucasian man with past medical history of diabetes mellitus and depression presented with a chief complaint of “something stuck in my intestine.” He admitted that he placed a foreign body in the rectum. Abdominal X-ray study and computed tomography of the abdomen/pelvis showed a conical-shaped 32-cm rectosigmoid foreign body. The foreign body was removed manually and follow-up colonoscopy was done. The patient's condition deteriorated in the first 2 days of hospital stay and he was diagnosed with Fournier gangrene. He required multiple surgeries and received broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage for mixed bacterial flora grown from deep tissue.

Conclusion

Rectal foreign bodies can cause Fournier gangrene. A close observation and follow-up is important after removal of rectal foreign bodies.     

Sonographic diagnosis of Fournier’s gangrene: a rare surgical emergency

Early diagnosis of life-threatening Fournier’s gangrene, a rare surgical emergency, is essential. Detection of gas within the swollen scrotal skin by ultrasonography (US) is of great help in patients with equivocal physical examination findings.     

Fournier gangrene

Fournier gangrene is a rapidly progressive necrotizing infection of the perineal and genital fascia, often polymicrobial. Severity is increased in older patients, diabetics and the immunocompromised. As in this case, the disease can have an indolent onset. Early recognition and aggressive treatment is important.     

Fournier’s Gangrene

This article provides an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of Fournier’s gangrene, a necrotizing fasciitis of the perineal, genital, or perianal areas, which commonly affects men. The article will highlight the symptoms of the condition and the pertinent anatomy.     

Fournier's disease: Necrotizing gangrene of the male genitalia

Fournier's disease, a necrotizing subcutaneous infection involving the male genitalia, was first described by the French venereologist Jean Alfred Fournier in 1884. Its characteristic triad of abrupt onset in young, previously healthy males, rapid progression to gangrene, and absence of a discernable cause appear to have been altered, at least partially, by the advent of the antibiotic era. We present a case report, with discussion of the clinical and pathophysiological mechanisms involved in this rare and malignant infectious process.     

影响糖尿病足坏疽愈合的因素与针对性护理

目的了解影响糖尿病足坏疽（diabetic foot gangrene,DFG）愈合的因素,探讨针对影响因素的护理。方法对106例糖尿病足坏疽的影响因素如患者血浆蛋白、年龄、微循环障碍程度、足骨质破坏情况、对糖尿病知识的了解情况等进行分析。结果年龄、微循环障碍、糖尿病肾病、足骨质破坏情况等对糖尿病足坏疽愈合影响有明显的差异。一般护理与全面的护理对糖尿病足坏疽愈合影响有明显差异。结论根据患者存在的影响愈合的因素采用针对性的护理有利于患者的早日愈合、减少截肢,提高患者的生活质量。     

糖尿病足坏疽病人防护意识及健康教育需求的调查

目的了解糖尿病足坏疽病人自身防护意识及健康教育需求，为健康指导提供依据。方法应用自行设计调查表，对住院治疗的68例糖尿病足坏疽病人进行自身防护意识、健康教育需求及获取知识途径等方面的调查。结果多于73．53％的病人对糖尿病足疽的概念不清楚，并未给予有效的足部护理；多于55．88％的病人对糖尿病相关知识不了解或仅部分了解;多于77．94％的病人希望得到有关糖尿病足坏疽相关知识；100％的病人希望健康指导方式以个别指导、电话咨询及医护人员上门服务为主。结论应增强病人防护意识，坚持做到早期、长期、系统、个体化和专业化的健康指导。     

《医宗金鉴》糖尿病病足内外治法初探

糖尿病病足中医属于“脱疽”范畴,现代医学对糖尿病病足报道占多数,而中医的内外治疗法颇具特色,并发展了数千年。明代医家陈实功在其所著《外科正宗》上对脱疽的病因病机以及初期内外治法、中期手术治法、手术后调理法有了较为详细的描述。清代医家吴谦在其著作《医宗金鉴·编辑外科心法要诀》中对陈实功的方法和观点进行了总结与凝练,对现代临床治疗脱疽提供了宝贵的经验。     

Pathways to diabetic limb amputation. Basis for prevention

We defined the causal pathways responsible for 80 consecutive initial lower-extremity amputations to an extremity in diabetic patients at the Seattle Veterans Affairs Medical Center over a 30-mo interval from 1984 to 1987. Causal pathways, either unitary or composed of various combinations of seven potential causes (i.e., ischemia, infection, neuropathy, faulty wound healing, minor trauma, cutaneous ulceration, gangrene), were determined empirically after a synthesis by the investigators of various objective and subjective data. Estimates of the proportion of amputations that could be ascribed to each component cause were calculated. Twenty-three unique causal pathways to diabetic limb amputation were identified. Eight frequent constellations of component causes resulted in 73% of the amputations. Most pathways were composed of multiple causes, with only critical ischemia from acute arterial occlusions responsible for amputations as a singular cause. The causal sequence of minor trauma, cutaneous ulceration, and wound-healing failure applied to 72% of the amputations, often with the additional association of infection and gangrene. We specified precise criteria in the definition of causal pathway to permit estimation of the cumulative proportion of amputations due to various causes. Forty-six percent of the amputations were attributed to ischemia, 59% to infection, 61% to neuropathy, 81% to faulty wound healing, 84% to ulceration, 55% to gangrene, and 81% to initial minor trauma. An identifiable and potentially preventable pivotal event, in most cases an episode involving minor trauma that caused cutaneous injury, preceded 69 to 80 amputations. Defining causal pathways that predispose to diabetic limb amputation suggests practical interventions that may be effective in preventing diabetic limb loss.     

V.A. Cooperative Study on antiplatelet agents in diabetic patients after amputation for gangrene: I. Design, methods, and baseline characteristics

This report describes the experimental design, methods, and baseline characteristics of patients enrolled in a Veterans Administration Cooperative Study on the effect of aspirin (325 mg t.i.d.) and dipyridamole (75 mg t.i.d.) (110 patients), or placebo (121 patients) on major vascular outcome variables in noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients with either a recent amputation for gangrene (n = 207) or active gangrene (n = 24). It also describes the baseline characteristics of the patients. A total of 231 patients of 563 screened (41%) were enrolled at 11 participating V.A. Medical Centers during a 39 month period. The median age at entry was 60 years, the median duration of diabetes was 10 years, and weight was 110% of desirable. All patients were men. Sixty-eight percent were treated with insulin and 32% with diet alone. Only 42% were smokers at entry, 40% had retinopathy, 61% sensory neuropathy, 42% hypertension, and 29% had a history of myocardial infarction, angina, and/or congestive heart failure. Thirteen percent had a history of cerebrovascular disease. Despite randomization, the treatment group had an increased frequency of a history of cerebrovascular disease (p = 0.01), diagnosed as stroke (p = 0.03), a finding suggesting that the treatment group was at a slightly increased risk for vascular disease upon enrollment in the study. Other baseline variables did not differ significantly between the two groups. This study should provide definitive data on the efficacy of these doses of antiplatelet agents in preventing further vascular disease in diabetic men with gangrene or recent amputation for gangrene, using death due to vascular disease and subsequent amputation of the opposite extremity for gangrene as major outcome variables. It should also give useful information on the effect of antiplatelet therapy on vascular outcome variables such as same side amputations, myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack, retinopathy, and renal failure. Finally, the study should provide useful data on the natural history and significance of risk factors in this patient population.     

Soft tissue gas gangrene: a severe complication of emphysematous cholecystitis

Soft tissue gas gangrene with myonecrosis is a severe complication of traumatic and non-traumatic conditions with a potentially lethal outcome. Emphysematous cholecystitis is a complication of acute cholecystitis, which is characterized by air accumulation in the gallbladder wall and is reported in the literature as a rare causative factor of soft tissue gas gangrene. Here we report 4 patients who developed soft tissue gas gangrene as a complication of emphysematous cholecystitis. Two patients were female octogenarians (one with a history of diabetes mellitus), and underwent percutaneous trans-gallbladder drainage and fascia incisions of the affected soft tissue with prompt administration of antibiotics. Finally, both of them died. The other two patients were male (32 years old diabetic and 47 years old with a history of chronic alcoholism). They underwent open cholecystectomy. Fascia incisions of the gangrenous areas and antibiotic therapy administration were also performed. Both of them were discharged from the hospital and are currently in excellent clinical status. We also present the ultrasonographic and/or radiologic images of these four patients. Soft tissue gas gangrene may complicate emphysematous cholecystitis, and clinicians should be aware of the coexistence of these two clinical conditions, since immediate management is needed in order to prevent fatal outcome.     

影响糖尿病足坏疽预后的因素调查及干预

[目的]探讨影响糖尿病足坏疽预后的因素,为防治干预措施提供依据。[方法]应用自行设计调查表,对68例糖尿病足坏疽病人进行调查分析。[结果]≤3个月痊愈者3 0例,>3个月者3 8例;其年龄大、病程长、空腹血糖高、坏疽程度严重者痊愈的时间长。[结论]增强糖尿病病人防护意识,掌握有效的足部护理方法至关重要。     

The diabetic foot

Neuropathic ulceration and gangrene in the diabetic foot is related to lack of sensation of the foot to painful stimuli, the easy access and development of infection. High pressure areas lead to rapid breakdown of tissue and the presence of abnormally fast blood flow leading to arteriovenous shunting leave peripheral tissues gravely at risk from ischaemia. The knowledge of these basic facts involved in the development of foot ulceration should allow a more logical approach to prevention-indeed with care through medical attention and an understanding of the social background of at risk patients, should lead to a major reduction in the incidence of foot ulceration in the diabetic patient and hence to a lowering of morbidity and on occasions, mortality. Leaving all the medical and scientific matters aside, it should be stated that diabetic foot ulceration in the warm diabetic foot is a failure on the part of the diabetic physician to identify problems, educate his patient and provide correct social services to totally prevent this unhappy complication of diabetes.     

腘动脉以远血管腔内成形术治疗糖尿病足:附65例报告

目的 探讨腘动脉以远血管腔内成型术对糖尿病足的救肢疗效.方法 总结65例(69条肢体)糖尿病足患者行腘以下闭塞动脉血管腔内长球囊扩张成形术的救肢治疗经验.结果 全组无死亡.即时成功60例64条肢体,失败5例5条肢体,即时技术成功率92.75%.成功的60例64条肢体术后肢温明显改善、疼痛缓解,踝肱指数(ABI)增加至0.84±0.11以上,有39条肢体术后即可触到再通动脉(胫前或胫后动脉)搏动.足、趾感染经清创换药等愈合21条肢体,皮肤软组织小面积坏疽自行脱落愈合10条肢体,清除坏疽愈合6条肢体,截趾后Ⅰ期愈合22条肢体,半足截除1条肢体.无一例截肢.成功病例出院后每月复查彩超1次,随访率100%.术后再阻塞6例6条肢体(3个月1例,6月1例,12个月2例,18个月2例),此6例均进行了二次扩张再通.结论 腘以下动脉腔内长球囊扩张成形对动脉闭塞的搪尿病足是一种有效的救肢方法 ,具有微创、安全、并发症少、可重复扩张等优点,可作为首选治疗方法 . 39条肢体术后即可触到再通动脉(胫前或胫后动脉)搏动.足、趾感染经清创换药等愈合21条肢体,皮肤软组织小面积坏疽自行脱落愈合10条肢体,清除坏疽愈合6条肢体,截趾后Ⅰ期 合22条肢体,半足截除1条肢体.无一例截肢.成功病例出院后每月复查彩超1次,随访率100%.术后再阻塞6例6条肢体(3个月1例,6月1例,12个月2例,18个月2例),此6例均进行了二次扩张再通.结论 腘以下动脉腔内长球囊扩张成形对动脉闭塞的糖尿病足是一种有效的救肢方法 ,具有微创、安全、并发症少、可重复扩张等优点,可作为首选治疗方法 . 39条肢体术后即可触到再通动脉(胫前或胫后动脉)搏动.足、趾感染经清创换药等愈合21条肢体,皮肤软组织小面积坏疽自行脱落愈合10条肢体,清除坏疽     

糖尿病足湿性坏疽多重耐药菌耐药特点分析

目的探讨糖尿病足湿性坏疽多重耐药菌的分布特点及耐药情况。方法选择2010年1月至2014年12月该院脉管炎科及糖尿病科送检的糖尿病足湿性坏疽患者分泌物1 845份,分离多重耐药菌,分析其分布情况及革兰阴性菌、革兰阳性菌、厌氧菌、真菌的多重耐药特点。结果分离出465株多重耐药菌株中,革兰阴性杆菌274株(58.92%),革兰阳性球菌191株(41.08%)。革兰阴性多重耐药菌株中以大肠埃希菌株为主占37.60%,革兰阳性多重耐药菌株中以凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌为主占51.30%;多重耐药阴性杆菌中,产超广谱β-内酰胺酶(ESBLs)的大肠埃希菌及肺炎克雷伯菌、鲍曼溶血不动杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌表现高耐药性,耐药率达到50.00%以上;多重耐药阳性球菌中,凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌及金黄色葡萄球菌均为耐甲氧西林阳性菌株,这些菌株表现高耐药性,耐药率达85.00%以上。结论糖尿病足湿性坏疽多重耐药菌中大肠埃希菌、肺炎克雷伯菌、凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌及金黄色葡萄球菌表现高耐药性,临床应结合耐药鉴定分析选择用药。     

28例糖尿病足患者的护理

目的:总结对糖尿病足患者的护理经验,早期预防、早期综合治疗及护理,降低致残率。方法:根据糖尿病足不同分级,采用全身及局部溃疡处综合治疗及护理措施,即良好血糖控制、局部创面护理、合理饮食、适量运动、心理护理、健康教育等。结果:28例2~5级糖尿病足患者取得良好的临床治疗效果,有26例患者经治疗创面愈合,1例患者由于创面较大,转入外科行植皮术,有1例患者感染严重,全足坏疽,行截肢手术,治愈率92.9%。结论:糖尿病足早期发现、早期进行综合治疗及护理多能治愈。     

糖尿病足抗生素规范化治疗

糖尿病足（diabeticfoot, DF)是糖尿病最常见的并发症之一,临床表现主要为足部溃疡、感染和坏疽,常常给患者带来巨大痛苦和沉重的经济负担,严重者常导致截肢甚至危及生命。因此, 糖尿病足的治疗需要一个规范化的标准。糖尿病足的发病是多种因素共同作用的结果,包括神经病变、血管病变、感染等,其中感染是较复杂且不易控制的因素,这就涉及到抗生素的应用,本文主要阐述糖尿病足抗生素规范化治疗。     

Bone Histomorphology May Be Unremarkable in Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract Background and Purpose:  Histomorphological studies on bone in human diabetes mellitus are scarce. The aim of this study was to observe the histomorphological appearance of bone in amputation specimens from feet of patients with diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods:  Routine histopathology reports on 45 amputation specimens were evaluated, provided the osteotomy was located in unaffected bone tissue. The bone morphology of regions affected with gangrene and/or osteomyelitis was considered, as well as the morphology at the dissection margin at a distance from the affected parts. The specimens were obtained from 43 diabetic patients, most of whom exhibiting the so-called neuroischemic diabetic foot with infection. The patients' age ranged from 50 to 92 years, duration of diabetes from 0 to 52 years; polyneuropathy was present in 36, peripheral ischemic vessel disease (PIVD) in 30, and renal failure in 24 of them, respectively. Results:  There were 22 clinical cases of osteomyelitis, 20 cases of gangrene (including three cases of necrosis without surrounding inflammation), and three cases of pressure ulcer, which were treated by amputation of 24 toes, and resection of 21 metatarsal bones, respectively. Histomorphology showed osteomyelitis (n = 29), bone necrosis (n = 1), myelofibrosis (n = 8), and normal bone (n = 7) at the affected sites, compared to normal bone (n = 26), myelofibrosis (n = 12), and osteoporosis (n = 7) at the osteotomy sites. In cases of clinical gangrene, bones were also affected by osteomyelitis, but less so than in cases of clinical osteomyelitis (8/18 vs. 22/22; p < 0.001). Bone tissue at the osteotomy sites was normal – with some myelofibrosis – in both conditions. Conclusion:  This pilot study shows that histomorphology of unaffected foot bone is mostly not abnormal in diabetic patients with neuropathy and PIVD. Further study is necessary to corroborate this preliminary evidence of absence of a “diabetic osteopathy” in the diabetic foot.