Gangrene classification

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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

There are three main types of gangrene which include wet, dry, and gas gangrene. Sometimes, gangrene is also classified according to its site. [1]

Classification

There are three main types of gangrene which include wet, dry, and gas gangrene. Sometimes, gangrene is also classified according to its site. Table 1 summarizes the classification of gangrene.[1]


Table 1. Classification of Gangrene.
Classification Example Description Images
Based on Type Dry Gangrene Dry gangrene refers to a dehydrated necrotic tissue brought about by worsening ischemia distal to the occlusion of arteries.

This is usually a worsening condition of peripheral artery disease.[2]
Dry gangrene on the right foot of a patient with peripheral artery disease. (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)
Wet Gangrene
Wet gangrene seen on a patient with diabetes and is suffering with severe infection and loss of toes (Image courtesy of Charlie Goldberg, M.D., UCSD School of Medicine and VA Medical Center, San Diego, CA)
Gas Gangrene Gas gangrene is a bacterial infection that produces gas within tissues.

It is a deadly form of gangrene usually caused by Clostridium perfringens bacteria.

Infection spreads rapidly as the gases produced by bacteria expand and infiltrate healthy tissue in the vicinity.

Because of its ability to quickly spread to surrounding tissues, gas gangrene should be treated as a medical emergency.

Gas gangrene can cause necrosis, gas production, and sepsis.

Progression to toxemia and shock is often very rapid.
Gas gangrene on the right leg and pelvis of a patient with palpable crepitus, swelling, bullae, and discoloration. (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)
Based on Site Gangrene of the skull
Gangrene of the face Noma is the term used to refer to the gangrene of the face.
Gangrene of the jaw
Gangrene of the extremities
Gangrene of the ribs
Gangrene of the skin Necrotizing fasciitis affects the deeper layers of the skin.
Gangrene of the genitals Fournier gangrene usually affects the male genitals.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Christopoulou-Aletra H, Papavramidou N (2009). "The manifestation of "gangrene" in the Hippocratic corpus". Ann Vasc Surg. 23 (4): 548–51. doi:10.1016/j.avsg.2009.02.002. PMID 19540438.
  2. "StatPearls". 2022. PMID 32809387 Check |pmid= value (help).

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