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Fournier gangrene ultrasound or echocardiography

Steven C. Campbell, M.D., Ph.D.; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yamuna Kondapally, M.B.B.S[1]; Jesus Rosario Hernandez, M.D. [2]

Overview

On ultrasound, Fournier gangrene is characterized by:[1][2] Thickened scrotal wall, echogenic gas foci in scrotum pathognomonic (seen as dirty shadowing), testes and epididymi spared (due to their separate blood supply), reactive unilateral or bilateral hydroceles are present, differentiate Fournier gangrene from inguinoscrotal incarcerated hernia (In inguinoscrotal incarcerated hernia gas is observed in the obstructed bowel lumen, away from the scrotal wall).

Ultrasound

On ultrasound, Fournier gangrene is characterized by:[1][2]

  • Thickened scrotal wall
  • Echogenic gas foci in scrotum pathognomonic (seen as dirty shadowing)
  • Testes and epididymi spared (due to their separate blood supply)
  • Reactive unilateral or bilateral hydroceles are present
  • Differentiate Fournier gangrene from inguinoscrotal incarcerated hernia (In inguinoscrotal incarcerated hernia gas is observed in the obstructed bowel lumen, away from the scrotal wall)

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Mallikarjuna MN, Vijayakumar A, Patil VS, Shivswamy BS (2012). “Fournier’s Gangrene: Current Practices”. ISRN Surg. 2012: 942437. doi:10.5402/2012/942437. PMC 3518952. PMID 23251819.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Rajan DK, Scharer KA (1998). “Radiology of Fournier’s gangrene”. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 170 (1): 163–8. doi:10.2214/ajr.170.1.9423625. PMID 9423625.

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