Fournier Gangrene in the Emergency Department: Diagnostic Dilemmas, Treatments and Current Perspectives

Abstract

Fournier gangrene (FG) is a rare and life-threatening urosurgical emergency characterized most often by a polymicrobial infection of the perineal, genital, or perianal region. FG has an increased incidence in male patients, patients with alcoholism, and patients with immunocompromise including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and uncontrolled diabetes. FG often begins as a simple abscess or cellulitis with progression to necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI). Delays in diagnosis and treatment confer high mortality. Early recognition and high clinical suspicion are important in making a timely diagnosis, as early manifestations are often subtle. The most significant modifiable risk factor associated with NSTI mortality is delay to surgical intervention. Coordination of both inpatient medical and surgical teams to implement appropriate therapy is vital to successful outcomes. The emergency medicine clinician must be vigilant for this condition and be aware of risk factors, prognostic indicators, and proper treatment protocols to recognize FG early and initiate appropriate management. The objective of this review is to provide updated and relevant information regarding recognition, diagnosis, and management of FG for the emergency medicine provider.

Introduction

Historical records of genital gangrene date back to Abu Ali al-Husayn ibn Sina (CE 980–1037), a Persian physician and a founder of early modern medicine.¹ Ibn Sina described genital gangrene as an operative complication of the transperineal approach to renal calculus removal, noting the finding was an “alarm of patient death.”¹ The first modern descriptions of regional perineal gangrene were reported by a Dr. H Baurienne, noting scrotal edema in a boy gored by an ox in 1764, and Robert Robertson, a British naval surgeon, in the publication of his 1772–1774 ship logs.^1,2 Robertson described the case of the ship butcher, an elderly male “given to drinking” who, after a sexual encounter, developed penile and scrotal edema progressing to overwhelming infection and death within 72 hours of initial symptoms.^1,2 Although other physicians described genital gangrene, Fournier Gangrene (FG) was ultimately named for the French venereologist Jean Alfred Fournier (CE 1832–1914) who described it in a case series of patients in 1883.¹ Fournier lectured and wrote about FG, which he had diagnosed in previously healthy men. The underlying etiology was unknown at the time, and it was thought to be an idiopathic disease of young men.³ Despite Fournier’s name given to the eponym, earlier physicians more accurately described the infection as occurring following an initial traumatic insult, particularly in susceptible populations. A cause is now found in the majority of cases, and it can present at any age and any sex.⁴

FG is part of a group of infections described as necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs). NSTIs are monomicrobial or synergistic polymicrobial infections involving any or multiple layers of the soft tissue, including cellulitis, fasciitis, and myositis. NSTIs are characterized by rapid tissue destruction and systemic signs of toxicity including features of sepsis and/or septic shock.⁵ Whereas sepsis mortality has declined globally in recent decades with improved recognition and treatment, retrospective studies evaluating FG outcomes have noted mortality has remained stable.^6,7 Delays in diagnosis and treatment confer up to an 88% mortality.^7–9 The most significant modifiable risk factor for NSTI mortality is time to surgical intervention.¹⁰ Early intervention has the potential to decrease mortality by half.¹¹

Materials and Methods

This narrative review provides a focused evaluation and management of FG in the emergency department (ED). The authors searched PubMed and Google Scholar for articles with the key words “necrotizing fasciitis” OR “necrotizing soft tissue infection” OR “Fournier gangrene” and “emergency”. The search was conducted from database induction to January 1, 2020. PubMed yielded over 1022 articles. The first 400 articles in Google Scholar were also searched. Authors evaluated case reports and series, retrospective, and prospective studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and other narrative reviews. Authors also reviewed guidelines and supporting citations of included articles. The literature search was restricted to studies published in English, with focus on emergency medicine and critical care literature. Authors decided which studies to include for the review by consensus. When available, systematic reviews and meta-analyses were preferentially selected. These were followed sequentially by randomized controlled trials, prospective studies, retrospective studies, case reports, and other narrative reviews when alternate data were not available. A total of 97 articles were selected for inclusion in this narrative review.

Discussion

Fournier gangrene is a life-threatening urosurgical emergency characterized by a polymicrobial infection of the perineal, genital, or perianal region that may rapidly progress to sepsis, septic shock, fulminant multi-organ dysfunction, and death. FG is rare (representing <0.02% of all hospital admissions), and typically underdiagnosed prior to development of severe symptoms.¹² The most recent largescale analysis of FG cases in the United States (US) noted the incidence of FG is approximately 1.6 per 100,000 males, which peaks between the ages of 50 and 79 years (3.3 per 100,000). The incidence of FG among female patients was reported as 0.25 per 100,000 in one study, though female patients were more acutely ill at presentation, required mechanical ventilation and dialysis twice as often, experienced longer length of stay, and had higher case fatality than the male cases.¹³ Differential severity by sex is reported in other databases as well. A study of FG in Japanese patients noted female patients were more likely to be older and experience higher case fatality.¹¹ The US-South demonstrates the greatest burden of FG at 1.9 cases per 100,000.^9,13 Increasing population prevalence of diabetes is strongly associated with risk of FG, with an increase of 0.2 FG cases/100,000 males for each 1% increase in diabetes prevalence.¹³ Early signs of infection are subtle, and severe infection is associated with severe morbidity and mortality, even with appropriate therapy. Rapid recognition leading to timely diagnosis and treatment is essential to attenuate significant morbidity and mortality.

Between 26% and 30% of patients with FG may have no comorbidities, though there are numerous risk factors for development of infection (Table 1).^9,14 Comorbid conditions including vascular disease or immunosuppression are highly associated with disease occurrence and mortality. Diabetes mellitus is present in 20–70% of FG cases, and 25–50% of patients have a history of chronic alcohol use.¹⁵ In regions with endemic HIV rates, HIV is the most common cited underlying risk factor.¹⁶ Risk of mortality is significantly heightened in patients with diabetes, heart disease, and renal failure.³ Additional risk factors include recent trauma or surgery and use of injection drugs such as cocaine or heroin, particularly if patients inject directly into inguinal veins, penile veins, or cavernosa.^17,18 Use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i)—antihyperglycemics that augment urinary glucose excretion—have been related with FG in multiple case reports, resulting in a warning from the US Food and Drug Administration in 2018 for patients to seek attention if experiencing symptoms of genital discomfort, erythema, and fever while taking an SGLT2i.¹⁹ However, this link remains unclear as the risk of FG is already significantly higher in patients with diabetes, and large-scale analyses comparing SGLT2i to other antihyperglycemics have found no increased risk of developing FG.^19–21

Table 1.

Risk Factors for Development of Fournier Gangrene

Demographic	Male sex Advanced age (>50 years) Spinal cord injury26 Obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2) Malnourishment Recent trauma or surgery Structural or functional anatomic defects Urethral stricture27 Inguinal hernia28 Rectal fistula Perianal abscess29 Lower extremity paralysis25 Neurogenic bladder26
Vascular Disease	Peripheral vascular disease Hypertension
Immunocompromised State	Diabetes mellitus HIV/AIDS Chronic/high-dose steroid use Cytotoxic drugs including chemotherapy Lymphoproliferative diseases Leukemia30 Systemic lupus erythematosus Inflammatory bowel disease31 Rectal/colon malignancy
Drug Use	Alcohol use Tobacco use Stimulant use Injection drug use SGLT2 inhibitor use20
Chronic Organ Dysfunction	Chronic kidney disease Hepatic insufficiency Heart failure
Iatrogenic/Procedural	Urologic Urinary catheterization or instrumentation Prostatic biopsy Vasectomy Urethral stricture manipulation
	Gastrointestinal Pancreatic stent dislocation Inguinal hernia repair32 Rectal biopsy
	Gynecologic Episiotomy wound/repair Hysterectomy24

Note: Data from these studies.^{9,15,20,22–25}

Etiology

Fournier gangrene most often occurs in the setting of compromised host immunity, with introduction or seeding of mixed flora from an initial infectious foci into perineal tissue.¹⁴ The infection is typically polymicrobial, involving mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts as well as cutaneous microorganisms.^15,33–35 Approximately one-quarter of FG cases are idiopathic with no known source.³ However, the pathological processes leading to perineal and genital gangrene and sepsis can usually be tracked back to a gastrointestinal, genitourinary, or cutaneous primary lesion.

Anatomical Considerations

Knowledge of perineal fascial anatomy is critical for understanding the natural history and course of FG. Beginning from initial foci of infection in the abdomen, genitalia, or perineum, FG advances along fascial planes, facilitating rapid extension of infection and necrosis deep into contiguous tissues and ultimately involving pelvic organs.³³ Due to the nature of spread, deep infections can present with few superficial cutaneous findings. When present, exact anatomical location of skin findings may indicate the course and extent of infection spread and may help to determine the original foci of infection if unclear or unavailable from the history.¹⁵

Infections originating in the perineum or rectum most often involve tissues of the scrotum, penis, and anterior abdominal wall, as far cephalad as the clavicles.^15,36 Deeper muscular structures of the pelvis and deep penile tissues including the corpora cavernosa, urethra, and spermatic cord structures are not typically involved unless they are the original source of infection.¹⁵ As the testicular blood supply of these structures derives directly from the abdominal aorta before bifurcation into the iliac arteries, involvement of the testes suggests that the infection either originated from or has expanded into the retroperitoneal space. Anorectal sources of infection, such as may occur in the setting of rectal fistula, prostate biopsy, or colonoscopy, will usually begin perianally and spread outwards. Urogenital infections initially involve the superficial (Colles) fascia and deep fascia of the genitalia.²⁴ The continuous nature of Colles fascia with Buck’s and Dartos fascial planes allows for caudal spread of infection, though spread to involve the anal margin is typically limited by anatomic attachment of Colles fascia at the perineal body.²⁴

Microbiology

Necrotizing soft tissue infections, including FG, may be broadly categorized into four types based on the underlying pathogenic organism driving the infectious process. Type I NSTIs are the most common and are characterized by polymicrobial flora including both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, anaerobes, and/or clostridial species. Type II NSTIs are typified by monomicrobial involvement, involving β-hemolytic Group A Streptococcus (GAS) species or Staphylococcus aureus. Type III NSTIs involve monomicrobial gram-negative marine-related infections such as Vibrio vulnificus, Aeromonas hydrophila, or clostridium species. Type IV NSTI infections involve fungal organisms and are most common in patients with severe immunosuppression and traumatic wounds including burns.^37,38

Fournier gangrene is most often characterized as a Type I NSTI, with up to 80% of FG involving several different microbes.³³ Upwards of four discrete organisms may be found in blood cultures in affected patients.^33,39 Commonly isolated organisms represent normal commensal flora of the anatomic region below the pelvic diaphragm including the perineum, rectum, and vagina.¹⁵ In the setting of impaired host immunity, these organisms behave synergistically, with aerobes and anaerobes producing exotoxins and enzymes that destroy tissue and extend infection.¹⁵ Bacteroides impair phagocytosis of aerobic bacteria, which induce platelet aggregation and complement fixation, while anaerobe-produced heparinase encourages coagulation and thrombosis of local microvasculature.²⁴ Critical ischemia and tissue invasion by commensal organisms in the area then progress to gangrene.⁴⁰ Aerobic microorganisms cultured from wounds and blood samples include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and S. aureus. Anaerobic microorganisms include Bacteroides fragilis and Clostridium species.^8,33 Other species isolated include Streptococcus, Vibrio, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Proteus, and Corynebacterium.^12,22 Case reports of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), as well as extended-spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) resistant Escherichia coli have been reported with increasing incidence in immunosuppressed patients.⁴¹

Type II FG most often involves Streptococcus pyogenes, though other GAS strains including S. dysgalactiae have been reported.⁴² β-hemolytic streptococcal NSTI are complicated by streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in over 50% of cases, involving T-cell activation and generalized release of pro-inflammatory cytokines leading to capillary leak and arterial hypotension.⁴³ Hypoperfusion further impairs local host defenses, exacerbates microcirculatory thrombosis of vascular supply to fascia, and accelerates necrosis of fascial structures.⁴⁴

Type III FG most commonly involves C. perfringens or A. hydrophila.⁴⁵ There are no reported cases of V. vulnificus-associated FG. C. perfringens is most associated with recent traumatic injury.⁴⁵

Type IV FG has been described in immunologically vulnerable patients including infants, patients with cancer, and patients with therapeutic immunosuppression for autoimmune disease.⁴⁶ While Candida species are part of the commensal flora of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts, they can cause acute disease in the context of compromised host immunity. The most common fungal organism reported in Type IV FG is Candida albicans, though other Candida species are also rarely implicated as a cause of FG. Cases associated with Candida glabrata, Lactobacillus gasseri, Rhizopus microspores, and Zygomycetes are described in the literature.^27,47–52

History and Physical Examination

FG is a clinical diagnosis. There are no specific laboratory or imaging studies that can specifically rule in or out the disease. Early-stage FG is a difficult diagnosis to make and is misdiagnosed in up to three quarters of cases, contributing to higher mortality as the infection progresses.^53,54 Although FG is most often thought of as an acute process, patient presentations range from days to weeks. Indolent and smoldering infections can develop over the course of several weeks, to subacute infections occurring over days to weeks, to fulminant infections with rapid progression to shock and multiorgan failure.^55,56 One study found the mean interval between initial symptom onset and hospital arrival was 5.1 ± 3.1 days.⁵⁶ Talwar et al describe a typical natural history involving the following:⁵⁷

1. Prodromal symptoms of fever and lethargy, which may be present for two to seven days.

2. Intense genital pain and tenderness that is usually associated with edema of the overlying skin.

3. Increasing genital pain and tenderness with progressive erythema of the overlying skin.

4. Dusky appearance of the overlying skin; subcutaneous crepitation.

5. Obvious gangrene of a portion of the genitalia; purulent drainage from the wounds.

Close investigation and a high index of suspicion is necessary when examining the perineum and genitalia in all patients. However, exceptional attention should be directed towards thorough examination in obese patients, elderly patients, patients with dementia, obtunded patients, patients with lower extremity paralysis, and non-verbal patients as these areas may be infrequently checked.^26,58 All but the most severe NSTIs typically present subtly in the initial stages of infection, confounding the most critical modifiable risk factor for NSTI mortality; time to surgical intervention.

Earliest signs of FG include local tenderness, pruritus, edema, and erythema of the scrotal or labial skin (Figure 1). These examination findings mimic milder soft tissue infections such as cellulitis, impetigo, and erysipelas, though these infections typically have clearly demarcated borders versus the patchy erythema and erratic bulla formation of FG.^12,59 Abrasions and fluctuance of the genitalia and perineum should raise suspicion for FG.¹⁷ Skin changes including crepitation upon palpation of affected tissues, bronzing, purpura, bulla formation, and patchy anthracosis indicate disease progression.⁵³ Presence of crepitus and subcutaneous gas is highly specific for gas-forming organisms, most often clostridial infections.⁵ Exquisite tenderness or pain out of proportion to examination is a cardinal finding. As infection spreads rapidly along fascial planes, tenderness and erythema may extend beyond the apparent area of involvement, up the anterior abdominal and into the proximal lower extremities.⁶⁰ Affected areas may appear dusky or swollen and have the classic presentation of feculent, musty, or “sweetly putrid” odor, and “dishwater” purulent discharge due to anaerobic infection (Figure 1).^56,61,62 Dishwater discharge is thin, purulent seepage specific for Clostridium perfringens gas gangrene and results from clostridial toxin-induced neutrophil lysis. Hypotension, shock, and organ dysfunction are late findings in these patients, and associated with high morbidity and mortality.^53,63

Figure 1.

Physical examination findings of Fournier Gangrene. Note a large area of necrosis (white arrow) as well as soft tissue edema and erythema (yellow arrow).

Laboratory Investigations and Clinical Scoring Systems

There are no specific laboratory tests or biomarkers for NSTI or FG. No single laboratory test has adequate sensitivity and specificity to discern FG, or any NSTI, from other soft tissue infections. Laboratory data may be used in aggregate to prognosticate illness and predict mortality.

Given the high mortality and rapid progression to moribund status, multiple risk calculators have been developed to facilitate early evaluation of disease severity. Each of these risk calculators utilize laboratory data to produce clinical scores associated with overall prognosis, as well as predicting necessity of specific interventions. These tools include the Fourniers Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI), Uludag Fournier Gangrene Severity Index (UFGSI), Age-Adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI), the Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score, the Combined Urology and Plastics Index (CUPI) and the Platelet Mass Index (PMI) Score.^63–65

The LRINEC score aggregates data including C-reactive protein, extent of leukocytosis, hemoglobin, serum sodium, serum creatinine, and glucose to suggest presence of NSTI (Table 2). The score explicitly cannot exclude NSTI. Score ranges from 0 to 13 with composite scores ≥6 concerning for NSTI.⁶⁶ A significant drawback of the LRINEC scoring system is its poor sensitivity among ED patients.⁶⁷ One large study of the LRINEC score performance in the emergency setting found sensitivity for FG ranging between 68% and 80%, unacceptably low given the marked mortality associated with delay to definitive surgical management.^63,66–69 There have also been cases of NSTI with LRINEC scores of zero.⁷⁰ Due to the limited sensitivity of the LRINEC, it should not determine clinical decision-making for FG diagnosis, particularly in the ED setting.

Table 2.

LRINEC Score for Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection

Criteria	Value	Points	Criteria	Value	Points
CRP (mg/L)	<150	0	Sodium	≥135	0
	≥150	+4		<135	+2
WBC per mm3	<15	0	Hemoglobin (g/dL)	>13.5	0
	15–25	+1		11–13.5	+1
	>25	+2		<11	+2
Creatinine	≤ 1.6 mg/dL	0	Glucose	≤180 mg/dL	0
	>1.6 mg/dL	+2		>180 mg/dL	+1
Total LRINEC Score: 0–13

Note: Adapted from Hsiao CT, Chang CP, Huang TY, Chen YC, Fann WC, Spratley J. Prospective validation of the Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score for necrotizing fasciitis of the extremities. PLoS One. 2020;15(1):e0227748. Creative commons license and disclaimer available from: (http://creativecommons.Org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode).⁷¹

The FGSI determines the severity and prognosis for patients with FG based on nine clinical parameters, scored from 0 to 4. Components include body temperature; heart rate; respiratory rate; basic metabolic panel markers such as serum sodium, serum potassium, serum bicarbonate, and calculated creatinine, as well as blood cell parameters including hematocrit and leukocyte count (Table 3).⁷² A score of >10.5 is associated with a 96% probability of death and a score of ≤10.5 a 96% probability of survival.⁷² Comparison of FGSI and LRINEC found similar strength in demonstrating worse prognosis including mechanical ventilation requirement and mortality.⁷³

Table 3.

FGSI Score and Performance

Temperature (°C)	Score	Serum Sodium (mmol/L)	Score	Serum Potassium (mmol/L)	Score
> 41	4	<110 or >180	4	<2.5 or >7	4
30–31.9 or 39–40.9	3	111–119 or 160–179	3	6–6.9	3
32–33.9	2	120–129 or 155–159	2	2.5–2.9	2
34–35.9 or 38.5–38.9	1	150–154	1	3–3.4 or 5.5–5.9	1
36–38.4	0	130–149	0	3.5–5.4	0
Heart Rate (beats/min)	Score	Hematocrit (%)	Score	Serum WBC (total/mm3 x1000)	Score
<39 or >180	4	<20 or >60	4	<1 or >40	4
40–54 or 140–179	3	20–29.9 or 50–59.9	2	1–2.9 or 20–39.9	2
55–69 or 110–139	2	46–49.9	1	15–19.9	1
70–109	0	30–45.9	0	3–14.9	0
Bicarbonate (mmol/L)	Score	Respiratory Rate (breaths/min)	Score	Test Characteristics
<15 or >52	4	<5 or >50	4	FGSI Score	>9
15–17.9 or 41–51.9	3	35–49	3	Sensitivity	67%
18–21.9	2	6–9	2	Specificity	96%
32–40.9	1	10–11 or 25–34	1	Positive LR	16
22–31.9	0	12–24	0	Negative LR	0.4

Note: Adapted by permission from Springer Nature, Int Urol Nephrol.  Kabay S, Yucel M, Yaylak F, et al. The clinical features of Fournier’s gangrene and the predictivity of the Fournier’s gangrene severity index on the outcomes. 40(4):997–1004, copyright (2008).⁷²

Abbreviations: WBC, white blood cell; LR, likelihood ratio.

The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) are newer validated clinical scoring tools with wide use for predicting disease severity in many inflammatory and infectious conditions, recently utilized for FG as well.^74,75 Yim et al (2016) determined that admission labs demonstrating PLR> 140 and NLR >8 were associated with 11.6 and 4.66-fold increased odds of mortality, respectively.⁷⁵ Higher neutrophil-lymphocyte and platelet-lymphocyte ratios are indicative of worse prognosis. Retrospective comparison of the FGSI against NLR and PLR in patients with FG found higher NLR and PLR values correlated with higher mortality, including in patients for which the FGSI did not show any statistically significant effect on mortality.^34,75,76 Additional benefits of the NLR and PLR tools are their simplicity of use and low cost, particularly in low resource settings. FGSI and NLR have also been used by urological services as reliable parameters for predicting skin reconstruction method between primary skin closure versus graft and flap.⁷⁷ MLR has been used to predict necessity of repeat surgical debridement in FG, with higher MLR indicative of more debridement in a retrospective study.⁷⁸ The PMI is calculated by multiplying the platelet count by the mean platelet volume. Based on limited scientific data, it may have better sensitivity and specificity than the LRINEC score with values of 2076.89 portending a worse outcome. If high suspicion for necrotizing fasciitis is present based on clinical history and physical examination, early involvement of surgical services and progression to operative management takes precedence over any clinical scoring system.

Imaging

Although imaging can assist with the diagnosis, NSTIs including FG are a clinical diagnosis using meticulous history, fastidious physical examination, and a high index of suspicion. Ultimately the only definitive diagnosis is in the operating room. Hemodynamically unstable patients may require direct disposition to the operating room for definitive management if clinical suspicion is warranted, prior to imaging studies. It is important to note that imaging will not rule out this diagnosis and should not delay surgical intervention.²⁴

Conventional radiography can be used to detect the presence of tissue edema and soft tissue emphysema along the fascial planes (Figure 2). This can be found earlier than crepitus on physical examination.^7,8,46 Presence of gas is highly specific (94%) for NSTI but bears poor sensitivity (49%).^45,63,79,⁸⁰ While evidence of subcutaneous gas tracking along fascial planes is present in nearly half of all patients with FG, deep fascial gas may not be detected, resulting in false-negative radiographic studies.⁸¹ Conventional radiography is often used to rule out NSTI on the basis of absent soft tissue emphysema. However, emphysema is most specific to clostridial infection, which may not be present in non-clostridial polymicrobial Type I, monomicrobial Type II, or fungal Type IV NSTI. Over-reliance on radiographic tissue emphysema may distract clinicians from the correct diagnosis.

Figure 2.

Anterior-Posterior Radiography of the Pelvis. Note the diffuse scrotal swelling with extensive soft tissue gas formation (white arrows) tracking along the right groin (R). Case courtesy of Dr Ahmed Abdrabou. Fournier gangrene. Radiopedia.org; rID:30310. Available from: https://radiopaedia.org/cases/fournier-gangrene-5?lang=us.⁹⁸

Computed tomography (CT) imaging can assist with diagnosis and planning for surgical management. CT has high sensitivity (88.5%) and specificity (93.3) for NSTI diagnosis.^3,7,63 Common findings include fluid collections, abscesses, asymmetric fascial thickening, fat stranding, and subcutaneous emphysema (Figure 3).^82–84 Although excellent at characterizing soft tissue, magnetic resonance imaging is not recommended as the initial radiologic imaging modality due to high cost and extended time of examination.⁵

Figure 3.

Sagittal Computed Tomography (CT) Image of the Perineum. Note the subcutaneous and fascial emphysema tracking from the rectum throughout the perineum and scrotum (white arrows). Case courtesy of Dr Chris O’Donnell. Fournier gangrene - spontaneous perforation of rectal cancer. Radiopedia.org; rID: 16849 . Available from: https://radiopaedia.org/cases/fournier-gangrene-spontaneous-perforation-of-rectal-cancer?lang=us.⁹⁹

Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful diagnostic aid in NSTI. Castleberg et al defined an imaging protocol using bedside ultrasound evaluating for subcutaneous thickening, air, and fascial fluid (STAFF), noting that presence of findings has high sensitivity (88%) and specificity (93%) for NSTI.^60,85 Presence of intrascrotal gas is a pathognomonic sign of NSTI.⁸⁶ Additional characteristic findings on ultrasound include “cobblestoning” of the subcutaneous soft tissue (thin lines of fluid between globules of fat). Additional findings of subcutaneous gas include “snow globe” (heterogenous swirling matter) and “dirty shadowing” (when gas causes shadowing with a hazy appearance) appearance caused by hyperechoic foci demonstrating reverberation artifacts (Figure 4).^82,86 Additionally, POCUS application in suspected FG can differentiate between NSTI findings from other urogenital diseases that may result in scrotal pain, erythema, and swelling.⁸⁶

Figure 4.

Point of care ultrasound image of the scrotum. Note the diffuse subcutaneous edema and subcutaneous gas adjacent to the testicles (white arrows). Case courtesy of Praveen Jha. Fournier gangrene. Radiopedia.org. rID: 18695. Available from: https://radiopaedia.org/cases/fournier-gangrene-1?lang=us.¹⁰⁰

Management

Emergent surgical debridement, broad spectrum antibiotics, and appropriate resuscitation with intravenous fluids and vasopressor medications are the cornerstones of FG therapy.⁵ As most FG cases are polymicrobial, appropriate antibiotic regimen should cover streptococcal, staphylococcal, and gram-negative bacteria; coliforms; Pseudomonas; Bacteroides; and Clostridium.⁵ Recommended therapy includes MRSA coverage (vancomycin or linezolid) with a carbapenem or beta lactamase inhibitor (Box 1).⁸⁶ It is reasonable to add clindamycin, as there is some literature that this suppresses toxin production and mediates cytokine production in NSTI patients leading to decreased mortality.^16,87 Doxycycline should be added in patients who have risk factors for A. hydrophila (ie, aquatic exposure).⁸⁶ In patients with clinical suspicion for fungal source of infection, Amphotericin B or fluconazole antifungals should be included in the antibiotic regimen.⁸⁶

Box 1.

Empiric Antibiotic Regimen for Fournier’s Gangrene

Carbapenem (Imipenem, meropenem, or ertapenem) OR Beta lactam-beta lactamase inhibitor (piperacillin-tazobactam or ampicillin-sulbactam) PLUS Clindamycin for its activity against gram-positive organisms and anaerobes, as well as its antitoxin effects PLUS Vancomycin, daptomycin, or linezolid for activity against gram-positive organisms and MRSA

In patients with severe hypersensitivity to carbapenems or beta lactam-beta lactamase inhibitors, consider: Aminoglycoside OR Fluoroquinolone PLUS Metronidazole

In patients with salt or freshwater exposure, consider adding: Doxycycline

In patients with significant risk for fungal involvement, consider adding: Amphotericin B or fluoroconazoles

Note: Reprinted from J Emerg Med. 57(4): Montrief T, Long B, Koyfman A, Auerbach J. Fournier gangrene: a review for emergency clinicians. 488–500, Copyright (2019), with permission from Elsevier.⁵⁹

Abbreviation: MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Resuscitation

Comorbidities considered the presence of septic shock with evidence of hypoperfusion may warrant administration of 30mL/kg of crystalloid fluid within the first 3 hours for patients with sepsis or septic shock and evidence of hypoperfusion.⁸⁸ These should preferably be a balanced crystalloid such as Lactated Ringer’s.^90,91 Further fluid administration should be guided by hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, urine output, and lactate clearance) to gauge responsiveness to initial fluid resuscitation.^89,91–94 Vasopressors may be used to support end-organ perfusion in patients with continued hypoperfusion after fluid optimization, with a preference towards early initiation of norepinephrine.⁹¹

Surgical Intervention

Prompt surgical consultation and intervention are crucial in these patients as the only definitive care is early, aggressive, and often repeat debridement. Delays in surgical consultation due to laboratory or imaging investigations negatively impact morbidity and mortality.¹⁰ An additional modifiable risk factor includes surgical familiarity with the disease; early consultation with the appropriate surgical team including urology, general surgery, acute care surgery, and/or obstetrics and gynecology can greatly benefit ultimate patient outcomes.¹⁰

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

HBOT therapy can be considered as adjuvant therapy for its bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects, particularly in postsurgical patients.^95,96 HBOT therapy should not be a consideration in the acute care setting as the most important intervention is prompt surgical management. Extremely ill postoperative patients may be poor candidates, as HBOT therapy limits access to perform critical life-saving interventions on these patients. Consideration for transfer to a center with HBOT availability should be made with discussion between surgical specialties at the referring and receiving centers.

Intravenous Immunoglobulins and Therapeutic Plasma Exchange

There are limited data supporting the use of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG). There is a theoretical benefit of neutralizing streptococcal toxins in NSTI associated with toxic shock syndrome; however, this has not been shown as of yet to be beneficial in the literature.^89,97 Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been considered and is thought to remove inflammatory mediators.⁸⁹ The current literature is not yet mature enough to make a recommendation at this time.

Disposition

Prompt surgical consultation and intervention with early surgical intensive care involvement allow for more timely management and handoff of the patients with NSTI’s and are associated with decreased mortality.^10,54 Typically patients with NSTI will require intensive care management. Transfer of NSTI patients is reasonable for resource-limited facilities and should occur in consultation with surgical teams at the transferring and receiving facilities.⁹⁷

Future Research Considerations

Future research considerations should include external validation of NLR, MLR and PLR; more accurate scoring systems with higher sensitivity and specificity; and more robust studies on the role of complementary interventions including IVIG and TPE in FG.

Conclusion

Emergency clinicians must be vigilant about FG diagnosis, as delay augments high mortality and morbidity rates.⁷ FG is a clinical diagnosis with no laboratory or imaging results that can reliably exclude this condition. Therefore, high clinical suspicion must be maintained for altered, elderly, patients with pain out of proportion to examination, rapidly spreading infection, ecchymosis, crepitus, and bullae of the genital area. Although no scoring system has a high enough sensitivity and specificity to rule in or out FG, scoring systems such as the LRINEC or FGSI scores may assist with diagnostic dilemmas. Newer prognostic markers including NLR, PLR and PMI may offer faster risk stratification and efficient surgical disposition. Definitive diagnosis and treatment include aggressive operative management, appropriate early resuscitation, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and timely surgical consultation. Further study is needed regarding the roles of IVIG and plasma exchange.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.