BioScience Trends. 2011;5(5):223-225. (DOI: 10.5582/bst.2011.v5.5.223)

A case of Fournier's gangrene after liver transplantation: Treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Yoshida N, Yamazaki S, Takayama T

Fournier's gangrene (FG) is known as a rapidly progressing necrotizing fasciitis arising from genitourinary and colorectal infections. Misdiagnoses have occurred often because the initial presentation varies and is unclear. We report a case of FG in a 59-year-old man who had undergone a living donor liver transplant. He was in the maintenance phase of immunosuppressant treatment. FG occurred rapidly without symptoms and required prompt and aggressive debridement. Computed tomography demonstrated a small air density in his left testis. Treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy followed by intra- operative Gram's staining navigated debridement was additionally performed with general systematic anti-biological therapy and successfully cured the patient. Extra caution should be paid to patients who are maintained on immunosuppressants. Earlier detection and intervention will reduce the rate of mortality to a minimum.

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