Fournier's gangrene (FG) requires prompt recognition and management.
We report the case of a 68-year-old man who presented with extensive pain and purple discolouration from the right iliac fossa to perineum. Computed tomography demonstrated gas within the right hemiscrotum extending into the inguinal canal and right buttock, with a right pelvic fluid and air collection. At debridement necrotic fluid was arising from the superficial inguinal ring so laparotomy was performed, revealing a grossly inflamed appendix herniating into the inguinal canal; a right hemicolectomy was performed. Unfortunately, the patient went into cardiac arrest and passed away on the operating table. Histological analysis demonstrated acute-on-chronic inflammation involving the appendix. The condition where appendicitis is implicated in FG is usually due to retroperitoneal rupture and tracking into the perineal spaces. This is the first case reported of an inflamed appendix herniating into the inguinal canal and thus causing FG.
Written by:
Sarmah PB, Khan M, Zilvetti M. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK; Department of General Surgery, Warwick Hospital, Warwick, UK; Department of General Surgery, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester, UK.
Reference: J Surg Case Rep. 2015 Mar 31;2015(3). pii: rjv027.
doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjv027
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25829533