Gangrene physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Edzel Lorraine Co, D.M.D., M.D.

Overview

Patients with gangrene may have varying presentations depending on the type of gangrene they have.

Physical Examination

Patients with gangrene may have varying presentations depending on the type of gangrene they have. Table 1 provides a summary of typical physical examination of a patient with gangrene.

**Table 1. Summary of Physical Examination.**
System	Findings

General Appearance	Patient with gangrene usually appears conscious, coherent, and in cardiorespiratory distress.
Vital Signs	Patient is usually hypotensive and febrile. ^[1] ^[2]
HEENT	Head can be normocephalic.
	Eyes can be normal.
	Ears can be normal.
	Nose can be normal.
	Throat can be normal.
Chest / Lungs	Gangrene can lead to sepsis which may manifest with decreased chest expansion and decreased breath sounds.
Cardiovascular	Gangrene can lead to sepsis which may manifest with dynamic precordium, irregular heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, and heart murmurs.
Abdomen	Patient usually has no pertinent findings.
Skin / Extremities	Patient usually has no pertinent findings.
	Dry Gangrene – The affected part is shrunken, dry, and appears dark black.
	Wet Gangrene – The affected part is soft, dark, and edematous with putrid smell.
	Gas Gangrene– Gas gangrene can lead to necrosis.
Skin / Genitalia	The genitals can be hyperemic, necrotic, and edematous with purulent suppuration.^[3]
Neurologic	Patients can be somnolent, confused, and not coherent due to sepsis.

References

Overview