Gas gangrene (patient information): Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Changes made per Mahshid's request)
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Myonecrosis (patient information)}}
__NOTOC__
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Myonecrosis|here]]'''
{{Gas gangrene (patient information)}}
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Gas gangrene|here]]'''


Please help WikiDoc by adding content here. It's easy! Click [[Help:How_to_Edit_a_Page|here]] to learn about editing.
{{CMG}}; '''Assistant Editor(s)-in-Chief:''' [[User: Shankar Kumar |Shankar Kumar, M.B.B.S.]] [mailto:kumarshankar@wikidoc.org]]


==Overview==
==Overview==
Gas gangrene is a potentially deadly form of tissue death ([[gangrene]]).
==What are the symptoms of Gas gangrene?==
Gas gangrene causes very painful [[swelling]]. The skin turns pale to brownish-red. If you press on the swollen area with your fingers, you may feel gas as a crackly sensation. The edges of the infected area grow so quickly that changes can be seen over a few minutes. The area may be completely destroyed.


==What are the symptoms of Myonecrosis?==
Symptoms include:


==What causes Myonecrosis?==
*Air under the skin ([[subcutaneous emphysema]])


==Who is at highest risk?==
*[[Blister]]s filled with brown-red fluid


*Drainage from the tissues, foul-smelling brown-red or bloody fluid ([[serosanguineous]] discharge)
*Increased [[heart rate]] ([[tachycardia]])
*Moderate to high [[fever]]
*Moderate to severe pain around a skin injury
*Pale skin color, later becoming dusky and changing to dark red or purple
*Progressive swelling around a skin injury
*Sweating
*[[Vesicle]] formation, combining into large blisters
*Yellow color to the skin ([[jaundice]])
Note: Symptoms usually begin suddenly and quickly worsen.
If the condition is not treated, the person can develop shock with decreased blood pressure ([[hypotension]]), [[kidney failure]], [[coma]], and finally death.
==What causes Gas gangrene?==
Gas gangrene is rare in the United States. The condition is most often caused by a bacteria called [[Clostridium perfringens]]. However, it also can be caused by [[Group A streptococcus]]. [[Staphylococcus aureus]] and [[Vibrio vulnificus]] can cause similar infections.
Clostridium is found most everywhere. As the bacteria grow inside the body, it makes gas and harmful substances ([[toxin]]s) that can damage body tissues, cells, and [[blood vessel]]s.
Gas gangrene develops suddenly. It usually occurs at the site of trauma or a recent surgical wound. About 1 in 5 cases occur without an irritating event. Patients most at risk for this usually have underlying blood vessel disease ([[atherosclerosis]] or hardening of the arteries), [[diabetes]], or [[colon cancer]].
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. This may reveal signs of [[shock]].
Tests that may be done include:
*Tissue and fluid cultures to test for [[Clostridium]] bacteria
*Blood culture to determine the bacteria causing the [[infection]]
*[[Gram stain]] of fluid from the infected area
*[[X-ray]], [[CT]] scan, or [[MRI]] of the area may show gas in the tissues.


==When to seek urgent medical care?==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
This is an emergency condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Call your heath care provider if you have signs of [[infection]] around a skin wound. Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911), if you have symptoms of gas gangrene.


==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
Surgery is needed quickly to remove dead, damaged, and infected tissue. This is called [[debridement]].


==Where to find medical care for Myonecrosis?==
Surgical removal ([[amputation]]) of an arm or leg may be needed to control the spread of infection. Amputation sometimes must be done before all test results are available.
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Myonecrosis}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Myonecrosis]
 
You will also be given [[antibiotic]]s, usually [[penicillin]]-type and [[clindamycin]]. These medicines will be given through a [[vein]] ([[intravenous]]ly). Doctors have tried [[hyperbaric oxygen]] for this condition, with varying degrees of success. Pain medicines may also be prescribed.
 
==Where to find medical care for Gas gangrene?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Gas gangrene}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Gas gangrene]


==Prevention==
==Prevention==
Clean any skin injury thoroughly. Watch for signs of infection (such as redness, pain, drainage, or swelling around a wound), and consult your health care provider promptly if these occur.


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
Gas gangrene usually begins suddenly and quickly gets worse. It is often deadly.


==Possible complications==
==Possible complications==
*[[Coma]]
*[[Delirium]]
*Disfiguring or disabling permanent tissue damage
*[[Jaundice]] with liver damage
*[[Kidney failure]]
*[[Shock]]
*Spread of infection through the body ([[sepsis]])
*[[Stupor]]


==Sources==
==Sources==
* http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000620.htm


[[Category:Infectious disease patient information]]
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Surgery]]
[[Category:Pathology]]
 
[[Category:Bacterial diseases]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Surgery patient information]]
 
[[Category:Needs content]]
{{WH}}
{{WH}}
{{WS}}
{{WS}}

Latest revision as of 17:47, 18 September 2017

Gas gangrene

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Gas gangrene?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Gas gangrene On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Gas gangrene

Videos on Gas gangrene

FDA on Gas gangrene

CDC on Gas gangrene

Gas gangrene in the news

Blogs on Gas gangrene

Directions to Hospitals Treating Gas gangrene

Risk calculators and risk factors for Gas gangrene

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shankar Kumar, M.B.B.S. [2]]

Overview

Gas gangrene is a potentially deadly form of tissue death (gangrene).

What are the symptoms of Gas gangrene?

Gas gangrene causes very painful swelling. The skin turns pale to brownish-red. If you press on the swollen area with your fingers, you may feel gas as a crackly sensation. The edges of the infected area grow so quickly that changes can be seen over a few minutes. The area may be completely destroyed.

Symptoms include:

  • Drainage from the tissues, foul-smelling brown-red or bloody fluid (serosanguineous discharge)
  • Moderate to severe pain around a skin injury
  • Pale skin color, later becoming dusky and changing to dark red or purple
  • Progressive swelling around a skin injury
  • Sweating
  • Vesicle formation, combining into large blisters

Note: Symptoms usually begin suddenly and quickly worsen.

If the condition is not treated, the person can develop shock with decreased blood pressure (hypotension), kidney failure, coma, and finally death.

What causes Gas gangrene?

Gas gangrene is rare in the United States. The condition is most often caused by a bacteria called Clostridium perfringens. However, it also can be caused by Group A streptococcus. Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio vulnificus can cause similar infections. Clostridium is found most everywhere. As the bacteria grow inside the body, it makes gas and harmful substances (toxins) that can damage body tissues, cells, and blood vessels.

Gas gangrene develops suddenly. It usually occurs at the site of trauma or a recent surgical wound. About 1 in 5 cases occur without an irritating event. Patients most at risk for this usually have underlying blood vessel disease (atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries), diabetes, or colon cancer.

Diagnosis

The health care provider will perform a physical exam. This may reveal signs of shock.

Tests that may be done include:

  • Tissue and fluid cultures to test for Clostridium bacteria
  • Blood culture to determine the bacteria causing the infection
  • X-ray, CT scan, or MRI of the area may show gas in the tissues.

When to seek urgent medical care?

This is an emergency condition requiring immediate medical attention.

Call your heath care provider if you have signs of infection around a skin wound. Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911), if you have symptoms of gas gangrene.

Treatment options

Surgery is needed quickly to remove dead, damaged, and infected tissue. This is called debridement.

Surgical removal (amputation) of an arm or leg may be needed to control the spread of infection. Amputation sometimes must be done before all test results are available.

You will also be given antibiotics, usually penicillin-type and clindamycin. These medicines will be given through a vein (intravenously). Doctors have tried hyperbaric oxygen for this condition, with varying degrees of success. Pain medicines may also be prescribed.

Where to find medical care for Gas gangrene?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Gas gangrene

Prevention

Clean any skin injury thoroughly. Watch for signs of infection (such as redness, pain, drainage, or swelling around a wound), and consult your health care provider promptly if these occur.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Gas gangrene usually begins suddenly and quickly gets worse. It is often deadly.

Possible complications

Sources

Template:WH Template:WS