Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2012 May;2(2):104-6.
doi: 10.4103/2229-5151.97276.

Ultrasound in the diagnosis of Fournier's gangrene

Erika Kube  1 , Stanislaw P Stawicki, David P Bahner
Affiliations
Case Reports

Ultrasound in the diagnosis of Fournier's gangrene

Erika Kube et al. Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci. 2012 May.

Abstract

Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a life-threatening, rapidly progressive necrotizing infection. If not recognized and treated early, it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The classic physical exam findings of crepitus are seen in approximately two-thirds of patients during the early stages of FG. Focused bedside sonography performed in cases of suspected gangrene represents an excellent adjunct in confirming the presence of subcutaneous gas and other signs of necrotizing infection. We present an illustrative case of a patient with FG who was evaluated with focused bedside ultrasonography.

Keywords: Bedside diagnosis; Fournier's; ultrasound.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Scrotal ultrasound with subcutaneous gas bubbles and associated hyperechoic shadowing
Figure 2
Figure 2
CT scan transverse showing subcutaneous air tracking from the left scrotum into the abdominal wall
Figure 3
Figure 3
CT scan showing subcutaneous air tracking from the left scrotum into the abdominal wall
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Jiménez-Pacheco A, Arrabal-Polo MÁ, Arias-Santiago S, Arrabal-Martín M, Nogueras-Ocaña M, Zuluaga-Gómeza A. Fournier Gangrene: Description of 37 cases and analysis of associated health care costs. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2012;103:29–35. - PubMed
    1. Sorensen MD, Krieger JN, Rivara FP, Broghammer JA, Klein MB, Mack CD, et al. Fournier's Gangrene: Population based epidemiology and outcomes. J Urol. 2009;181:2120–6. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Yilmazlar T, Ozturk E, Ozguc H, Ercan I, Vuruskan H, Oktay B. Fournier's gangrene: An analysis of 80 patients and a novel scoring system. Tech Coloproctol. 2010;14:217–23. - PubMed
    1. Paty R, Smith AD. Gangrene and Fournier's gangrene. Urol Clin North Am. 1992;19:149–62. - PubMed
    1. Kane CJ, Nash P, McAninch JW. Ultrasonographic appearance of necrotizing gangrene aid in early diagnosis. Urology. 1996;48:142–4. - PubMed

Publication types