TY - JOUR
T1 - Emergency diagnosis of Fournier's gangrene with bedside ultrasound
AU - Morrison, Daniel
AU - Blaivas, Michael
AU - Lyon, Matthew L
PY - 2005/7/1
Y1 - 2005/7/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ajem.2004.12.010
DO - 10.1016/j.ajem.2004.12.010
M3 - Article
C2 - 16032628
AN - SCOPUS:22444437379
SN - 0735-6757
VL - 23
SP - 544
EP - 547
JO - American Journal of Emergency Medicine
JF - American Journal of Emergency Medicine
IS - 4
ER -