Gas gangrene: Difference between revisions
mNo edit summary |
CSV import |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{SI}} | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Gas gangrene | |||
| image = [[File:Gas_gangrene.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = Advanced gas gangrene in a limb | |||
| field = [[Infectious disease]] | |||
| synonyms = [[Clostridial myonecrosis]] | |||
| symptoms = Severe pain, swelling, fever, skin discoloration, blisters with foul-smelling discharge | |||
| complications = [[Sepsis]], [[shock (circulatory)|shock]], [[organ failure]] | |||
| onset = Rapid, within hours to days after injury | |||
| duration = Variable, can be fatal within 48 hours if untreated | |||
| causes = [[Clostridium perfringens]], [[Clostridium septicum]], other [[Clostridium]] species | |||
| risks = [[Trauma]], [[surgery]], [[diabetes mellitus]], [[peripheral vascular disease]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Clinical diagnosis]], [[imaging]], [[Gram stain]], [[culture (microbiology)|culture]] | |||
| differential = [[Necrotizing fasciitis]], [[cellulitis]], [[deep vein thrombosis]] | |||
| prevention = Proper wound care, prophylactic antibiotics in high-risk surgeries | |||
| treatment = [[Surgical debridement]], [[antibiotics]], [[hyperbaric oxygen therapy]] | |||
| prognosis = Poor if untreated; better with early intervention | |||
| frequency = Rare | |||
}} | |||
'''Gas gangrene''' is a [[bacterial infection]] that produces gas in tissues in [[gangrene]]. This deadly form of gangrene usually is caused by [[Clostridium perfringens]] bacteria. It is a medical emergency. | '''Gas gangrene''' is a [[bacterial infection]] that produces gas in tissues in [[gangrene]]. This deadly form of gangrene usually is caused by [[Clostridium perfringens]] bacteria. It is a medical emergency. | ||
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
Gas gangrene is caused by a bacterial infection from the group of bacteria known as [[Clostridium]]. The bacteria produce gas and toxins, and are able to survive in conditions with low oxygen levels. The most common cause of gas gangrene is [[Clostridium perfringens]], but other types of clostridium can also cause the condition. | Gas gangrene is caused by a bacterial infection from the group of bacteria known as [[Clostridium]]. The bacteria produce gas and toxins, and are able to survive in conditions with low oxygen levels. The most common cause of gas gangrene is [[Clostridium perfringens]], but other types of clostridium can also cause the condition. | ||
<youtube> | <youtube> | ||
title='''{{PAGENAME}}''' | title='''{{PAGENAME}}''' | ||
movie_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/zDiEeDxvP7g | movie_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/zDiEeDxvP7g | ||
&rel=1 | &rel=1 | ||
| Line 16: | Line 32: | ||
height=600 | height=600 | ||
</youtube> | </youtube> | ||
== Symptoms == | == Symptoms == | ||
The symptoms of gas gangrene include severe pain in the affected area, swelling, and the production of gas, which can be felt under the skin. The skin may become pale and then turn gray or purplish red. The patient may also experience fever, sweating, and increased heart rate. | The symptoms of gas gangrene include severe pain in the affected area, swelling, and the production of gas, which can be felt under the skin. The skin may become pale and then turn gray or purplish red. The patient may also experience fever, sweating, and increased heart rate. | ||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
Gas gangrene is diagnosed through a physical examination and medical history. The doctor may also order imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI to look for gas in the tissues. A sample of tissue or fluid may be taken from the affected area and tested for the presence of clostridium bacteria. | Gas gangrene is diagnosed through a physical examination and medical history. The doctor may also order imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI to look for gas in the tissues. A sample of tissue or fluid may be taken from the affected area and tested for the presence of clostridium bacteria. | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
Treatment for gas gangrene includes [[antibiotics]] to kill the bacteria and surgery to remove the dead tissue. In severe cases, amputation of the affected limb may be necessary. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room, may also be used to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood and help kill the bacteria. | Treatment for gas gangrene includes [[antibiotics]] to kill the bacteria and surgery to remove the dead tissue. In severe cases, amputation of the affected limb may be necessary. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room, may also be used to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood and help kill the bacteria. | ||
[[File:Gas gangrene in amputation stump - crepitus felt 0.jpg|left|thumb|Gas gangrene in amputation stump - crepitus felt]] | |||
[[File:Gas gangrene in amputation stump - crepitus felt 0.jpg|thumb|Gas gangrene in amputation stump - crepitus felt]] | |||
== Prevention == | == Prevention == | ||
Prevention of gas gangrene involves proper wound care, especially for deep wounds and those caused by surgery or trauma. This includes cleaning the wound thoroughly and keeping it clean and dry. | Prevention of gas gangrene involves proper wound care, especially for deep wounds and those caused by surgery or trauma. This includes cleaning the wound thoroughly and keeping it clean and dry. | ||
[[Category:Medical conditions]] | [[Category:Medical conditions]] | ||
[[Category:Bacterial diseases]] | [[Category:Bacterial diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Infectious diseases]] | [[Category:Infectious diseases]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 02:12, 7 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Gas gangrene | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | Clostridial myonecrosis |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Severe pain, swelling, fever, skin discoloration, blisters with foul-smelling discharge |
| Complications | Sepsis, shock, organ failure |
| Onset | Rapid, within hours to days after injury |
| Duration | Variable, can be fatal within 48 hours if untreated |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium septicum, other Clostridium species |
| Risks | Trauma, surgery, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease |
| Diagnosis | Clinical diagnosis, imaging, Gram stain, culture |
| Differential diagnosis | Necrotizing fasciitis, cellulitis, deep vein thrombosis |
| Prevention | Proper wound care, prophylactic antibiotics in high-risk surgeries |
| Treatment | Surgical debridement, antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Poor if untreated; better with early intervention |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Deaths | N/A |
Gas gangrene is a bacterial infection that produces gas in tissues in gangrene. This deadly form of gangrene usually is caused by Clostridium perfringens bacteria. It is a medical emergency.
Causes[edit]
Gas gangrene is caused by a bacterial infection from the group of bacteria known as Clostridium. The bacteria produce gas and toxins, and are able to survive in conditions with low oxygen levels. The most common cause of gas gangrene is Clostridium perfringens, but other types of clostridium can also cause the condition.
Symptoms[edit]
The symptoms of gas gangrene include severe pain in the affected area, swelling, and the production of gas, which can be felt under the skin. The skin may become pale and then turn gray or purplish red. The patient may also experience fever, sweating, and increased heart rate.
Diagnosis[edit]
Gas gangrene is diagnosed through a physical examination and medical history. The doctor may also order imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI to look for gas in the tissues. A sample of tissue or fluid may be taken from the affected area and tested for the presence of clostridium bacteria.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment for gas gangrene includes antibiotics to kill the bacteria and surgery to remove the dead tissue. In severe cases, amputation of the affected limb may be necessary. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room, may also be used to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood and help kill the bacteria.
Prevention[edit]
Prevention of gas gangrene involves proper wound care, especially for deep wounds and those caused by surgery or trauma. This includes cleaning the wound thoroughly and keeping it clean and dry.
