Gangrene (death of body tissue)

Description

Gangrene or death of body tissue. A tissue necrosis at any part of the body occurred due to reduced blood flow in affected area. A disorder is sometimes linked with an infection. Patients with poor circulation, such as diabetics and those with atherosclerosis, more often come down with the gangrene. Any part of the body may be affected but legs, feet, arms, ears and nose are usually affected.

Symptoms

Change in skin colour (blue, red, bronze or black), discharge, loss of senses, numbness, pain, swelling and bubbles under the skin. Other symptoms include: confusion, low blood pressure and fever. Many other symptoms may develop if the infection that causes the gangrene has affected some internal organ.

Overview

Anamnesis is being taken and physical examination is being done. Tests for detection of an infection and a blood vessels blockage should be done.

Tests

Complete blood count (CBC), biochemical blood analysis, CT scan, electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), analysis of urine and X-rays.

Additional analyses

CT angiogram, MR angiogram, arteriogram, tissue biopsy, wound swab, hemoculture, urine culture.

Specialists

General Surgeon, Infectology, Vasular Surgeon

Therapy

Gangrene is a very serious condition and requires an urgen treatment. Treatment depends on the extent of the disease, part of the body which has been affected by the gangrene and the cause. If there is an infection, patient should necessarily get antibiotics and intravenous fluids and surgical removal of the necrotic tissue (debridement) should be done. In more severe cases an amputation of the affected limb or an extraction of the internal organ is done. If an artery is blocked, patient will need an angioplasty or surgical opening of blood vessel.