Fournier's gangrene in hypersensitivity vasculitis

[Fournier's gangrene: anatomo-clinical features in adults and children. Therapy update]

Fournier's gangrene is a skin infectious-necrotising process in the peri-neogenital area affecting males, usually in their sixties or seventies. Isolated flora from cultures of the necrotic lesion is commonly multi-microbial. In a majority of cases both aerobic and anaerobic micro-organisms are found in the cultures, Escherichia coli being the most commonly identified germ. Although considered in the past an idiopathic condition, in most patients today a genitourinary, anorectal or dermal triggering factor can be identified. There are a series of systemic host debilitating disorders such as diabetes mellitus, chronic alcohol abuse, and malignant neoplasia that are associated to this condition and may be considered risk factor to suffer this disease. Fournier's gangrene in children show specific bacteriological, pathogenic, clinical, therapeutic and prognostic features that distinguish it from that in adults. The most extensively accepted management for this condition includes therapy with broad-spectrum parenteral antibiotics and early and aggressive surgical debridement of the necrotic areas. Mortality continues to be high, ranging between 10-80% in the various series. Finally, a group of 7 patients with Fournier's gangrene is analyzed (1991-1998) aiming to establish a comparison between our results and those seen in recent series.

Fournier's gangrene: changing face of the disease

PURPOSE

Our experience with ten cases of Fournier's gangrene prompted us to review the related literature to highlight the current status of the disease.

METHODS

Data from ten patients with the diagnosis of Fournier's gangrene treated at our center from January 1997 until December 1998 were analyzed. These patients were treated by aggressive resuscitation, triple antibiotics, and urgent surgery. The English-language medical literature for the past 30 years was reviewed.

RESULTS

The epidemiologic features of our patients were similar to those reported in other recent studies. Mortality rate was 20 percent. Currently, the disease affects both genders and a wide range of ages, has a more insidious onset than in the past, and is not idiopathic. Associated systemic disorders (diabetes, alcoholism, and immunosuppression) are common. Perianal infection is the commonest cause and is associated with more moribund features.

CONCLUSION

The epidemiology of Fournier's gangrene is changing from its original description. Population aging worldwide--as a result of improving health care--and therefore the increasing prevalence of associated medical disorders may explain these changes. These factors may also explain the consistently high mortality rate during more recent years, masking any survival benefits from improved medical care. Better understanding of the pathophysiology has reduced the ratio of idiopathic cases to a minimum.

Fournier's gangrene: a review of 1726 cases

BACKGROUND

Although there is much consensus, certain controversies exist regarding the management of Fournier's gangrene.

METHOD

Publications in English on Fournier's gangrene from January 1950 to September 1999 were obtained through the Medline database and relevant reference lists in publications. It was possible to identify 1726 cases for study. Data extracted for review included country of reported cases, number of patients in each report and relevant clinical features.

RESULTS

Fournier's gangrene occurs worldwide. However, its definition has generated considerable controversy as efforts are made to refine the original description in the light of increasingly understood aetiological factors. Attempts to classify the disease into primary and secondary forms have not been successful. The basic pathological process, necrotizing fasciitis, has been identified in the perineum of women and children, although the disease afflicts the male more often than the female. Most reported cases have occurred in the USA and Canada. The major sources of sepsis are the local skin, colon, anus and rectum, and the lower urinary tract. Colonic, anal and rectal sources carry the worst prognosis. Diabetes mellitus is important in aetiological terms. Rare causes include vasectomy and circumcision. Investigations are essential to define the cause of an episode but not for the diagnosis of the disease. Early aggressive treatment of Fournier's gangrene and underlying conditions is essential. Hyperbaric oxygen and honey are treatment modalities yet to be universally adopted. Risk of death, 16 per cent overall in this series, is related to the patient's condition at presentation.

CONCLUSION

Controversies over the definition of Fournier's gangrene persist but these do not affect the treatment options. The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds. The occurrence of the disease in women is under-reported and may go unrecognized by some clinicians. Some treatment options, such as hyperbaric oxygenation and radical excision, remain controversial.

Fournier's disease

Fournier's gangrene is an aggressive synergistic fasciitis of the perineum. The disease can no longer be considered to be idiopathic; in most cases a urologic, colorectal, or cutaneous source can be identified. Despite antibiotics and aggressive debridement, the mortality rate remains high, particularly in the elderly, in patients with renal failure, and in patients with extensive disease. The presentation is highly variable, necessitating a high index of suspicion. High-risk patients include diabetics, alcoholics, and debilitated and immunosuppressed individuals. As the AIDS population increases, the incidence of Fournier's gangrene may increase as well. In questionable cases, imaging modalities should be performed to allow early diagnosis and to reduce missed diagnoses. Broad-spectrum antibiotics and aggressive debridement remain the hallmarks of treatment. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and improved local wound care may decrease the extent of tissue destruction. Reconstructive techniques afford better cosmetic results. With early recognition, prompt treatment, improved wound care, and reconstructive efforts, the mortality rates and cosmetic results should continue to improve.

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.