Systemic corticosteroids are important in the treatment of Fournier's gangrene: a case report

Abstract

Fournier's gangrene represents an acute severe necrotizing inflammatory process affecting the scrotum and penis. It has an associated mortality of 30-50%. In most cases, aetiological factors can be identified, such as diabetes mellitus, chronic alcoholism and perianal, perirectal or periurethral infection. The disease is characterized by a polybacterial infection, and the classic treatment includes surgical removal of the necrotic tissue and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. We report a case of Fournier's gangrene, histologically characterized by a necrotizing vasculitis, in which surgical resection of the necrotic tissue and antibiotic treatment failed to halt progression of the disease, whereas complete remission was achieved by high-dose corticosteroid therapy. This suggests that Fournier's gangrene is related to some form of localized vasculitis, and represents a local Shwartzman phenomenon.