Gangrene

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Gangrene
Synonyms	Gangrenous necrosis
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Discoloration, foul-smelling discharge, numbness, pain
Complications	Sepsis, amputation
Onset	Sudden or gradual
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Infection, ischemia, diabetes, smoking, trauma
Risks	Diabetes mellitus, peripheral artery disease, smoking, immunosuppression
Diagnosis	Physical examination, imaging studies, blood tests
Differential diagnosis	Cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, chronic ulcer
Prevention	Proper wound care, control of diabetes, smoking cessation
Treatment	Surgical debridement, antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, vascular surgery
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable, depends on severity and treatment
Frequency	Common in certain populations
Deaths	N/A

Gangrene is a medical condition characterized by the death of body tissue due to a lack of blood supply. It can be caused by injury, infection, or underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or peripheral artery disease. Gangrene can affect any part of the body, but it most commonly occurs in the extremities, such as fingers, toes, hands, and feet.

Symptoms

Symptoms of gangrene include:

• Discoloration of the affected area (black, blue, green, or red)
• Pain in the affected area
• Foul-smelling discharge from the affected area
• Numbness or loss of sensation
• Coldness in the affected area
• In severe cases, tissue death

Causes

Gangrene occurs when the blood supply to a certain area of the body is interrupted or severely reduced. This can result from:

• Injuries, such as burns, frostbite, or crushing injuries
• Infections, especially those caused by bacteria, which can damage blood vessels and limit blood flow
• Underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or peripheral artery disease, which can lead to poor circulation and increased risk of infection

Diagnosis

Diagnosing gangrene typically involves a physical examination, during which a healthcare professional will look for the characteristic signs and symptoms. Additional diagnostic tests may include:

• Imaging studies, such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans, to assess the extent of tissue damage and identify any underlying causes
• Blood tests to check for infection or other contributing factors
• Tissue samples to identify the specific type of bacteria causing the infection, if applicable

Treatment

Treatment for gangrene depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. Treatment options may include:

• Antibiotics to treat any bacterial infections
• Surgical debridement, which involves removing dead or infected tissue to promote healing
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood and promote healing
• Amputation, in severe cases where the gangrene has spread and cannot be controlled through other means
• Addressing any underlying conditions, such as managing diabetes or treating peripheral artery disease, to reduce the risk of future episodes of gangrene.

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