Fournier's gangrene: Clinical and therapeutical remarks on 5 new cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Fournier's gangrene is an uncommon disease. It is characterised by superficial cellulitis involving the external genitalia, with a quick necrotic evolution. The origin of infection is often unclear. Generally the disease has a good prognosis, without systemic toxicity or compromising the patient's life. Many cases of Fournier's gangrene with bad prognosis, sepsis, have been described, however, in literature. In these cases the infection propagates from the colorectum, the periurethral glands or the urethra. We believe that these cases must be described as urinous phlegmon which unlike Fournier's gangrene, is a deep cellulitis. The 5 cases that we report, confirm our opinion.