54 Gas gangrene Fig. 54.1A This patient has abnormal air in the soft tissues of the upper limb. These appearances are due to gas gangrene. Background Gas gangrene is caused by gas-forming organisms (Clostridium species) infecting muscle and soft tissue; this often occurs by direct inoculation into the muscle but can also spread haematogenously. The condition is rapidly fatal and is often recognized too late for treatment, which involves surgical debridement. It may present to physicians, surgeons, A&E doctors or orthopaedic surgeons. Those who are diabetic or immunocompromised are at risk. Mortality is in the 25–100% range. Clinical features Symptoms • Severe pain out of proportion to the signs is suggestive of gas gangrene. Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related posts: Permanent pacemakers Gastric outlet obstruction Caecal volvulus Large bowel obstruction Brodie’s abscess Slipped upper femoral epiphysis Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: On-Call X-Rays Made Easy Aug 20, 2016 | Posted by admin in ULTRASONOGRAPHY | Comments Off on Gas gangrene Full access? Get Clinical Tree
54 Gas gangrene Fig. 54.1A This patient has abnormal air in the soft tissues of the upper limb. These appearances are due to gas gangrene. Background Gas gangrene is caused by gas-forming organisms (Clostridium species) infecting muscle and soft tissue; this often occurs by direct inoculation into the muscle but can also spread haematogenously. The condition is rapidly fatal and is often recognized too late for treatment, which involves surgical debridement. It may present to physicians, surgeons, A&E doctors or orthopaedic surgeons. Those who are diabetic or immunocompromised are at risk. Mortality is in the 25–100% range. Clinical features Symptoms • Severe pain out of proportion to the signs is suggestive of gas gangrene. Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related posts: Permanent pacemakers Gastric outlet obstruction Caecal volvulus Large bowel obstruction Brodie’s abscess Slipped upper femoral epiphysis Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: On-Call X-Rays Made Easy Aug 20, 2016 | Posted by admin in ULTRASONOGRAPHY | Comments Off on Gas gangrene Full access? Get Clinical Tree
