Gas gangrene

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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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

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

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

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 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.

Gas gangrene in amputation stump - crepitus felt

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.

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