title: Idiopathic gangrene (Fournier) of the male external genitalia, with report of a case and review of the literature.
abstract: Fournier's gangrene, originally described by Fournier in 1883, is a rare and unusual ischaemic necrosis of the male external genitalia. Reports on the idiopathic penile and/or scrotal gangrene are relatively rare in newer publications. The aetiology of the disease which is characterized by a sudden onset, most commonly without prodromal symptoms, is still not fully understood. There is strong evidence, however, that Fournier's gangrene is a specific infection due to Streptococcus haemolyticus, group A, and/or anaerobic Streptococci. Presenting a case of our own, we take the opportunity to discuss the pathogenesis, pathomorphology, bacteriology and treatment of the disease.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D001442:Bacteroides Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D005734:Gangrene; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010413:Penis / Q000473:pathology*; D011424:Propionibacterium; D012611:Scrotum / Q000473:pathology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins; D008795:Metronidazole