A case of fournier's gangrene caused by penetration of rectal carcinoma

Abstract

An 80-year-old woman, who had undergone colostomy for advanced rectal carcinoma with invasion to the uterus, vagina and sacrum three months before, was admitted to the hospital because of high fever, pain and swelling in the buttocks. Pelvic CT scan revealed a tumor in the rectum and widespread abscess cavity from the perianal area to the right calf. Fournier's gangrene caused by penetration of rectal carcinoma was diagnosed and wide drainage operation was immediately carried out. Then she received administration of antibiotics as well as debridement and irrigation every day. On the 19^th post-operative day, closure of the wound and skin grafting were performed. After the second operation, she made a good recovery and was transferred to another hospital on the 63rd post-operative day.
Fournier's gangrene is a specific type of necrotic fascitis. It is rare that rectal carcinoma causes Fournier's gangrene and only 9 such cases with rectal carcinone have been reported so far. We thus report this case with a review of the literature.