Fournier's Gangrene: review on diagnosis and pathophysiology

Abstract

Objective: Describe the pathophysiology and diagnosis of Fournier's Gangrene (FG). Bibliographic review: Patients with FG commonly develop soft tissue infections of the scrotum, perineal and perianal regions, often accompanied by edema, erythema, crepitus, or necrosis. The most frequent risk factor is diabetes mellitus (DM), with a chance of developing FG three times higher. Diagnosis is based on the clinical history and appropriate physical examination. There are no specific laboratory or imaging tests for the diagnosis of FG. Treating patients with FG involves volume resuscitation, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and surgical debridement. Final considerations: FG is a rare necrotizing fasciitis of the perineal, genital, or perianal regions that require rapid diagnosis and treatment, as it can rapidly progress to multiple organ dysfunction and death. The clinical presentation is complex and may change depending on the infection's progression and the patient's clinical characteristics. Therefore, collecting a good clinical history, performing an adequate physical examination, and understanding the pathophysiology of the disease are essential for early diagnosis and treatment, thus attenuating the high lethality rate of this disease.