Avascular necrosis - Mayo Clinic Avascular necrosis By Mayo Clinic Staff Avascular necrosis is the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply. Also called osteonecrosis, avascular necrosis can lead to tiny breaks in the bone and the bone's eventual collapse. The blood flow to a section of bone can be interrupted if the bone is fractured or the joint becomes dislocated. Avascular necrosis is also associated with long-term use of high-dose steroid medications and excessive alcohol intake. Anyone can be affected by avascular necrosis. However, it's most common in people between the ages of 30 and 60. Because of this relatively young age range, avascular necrosis can have significant long-term consequences. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2015: 5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2015. Accessed Jan. 23, 2015. Jones LC, et al. Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis of bone). Accessed Jan. 19, 2015. Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology.

9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2013. Accessed Jan. 23, 2015. AskMayoExpert. Who gets avascular necrosis of the hip? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2015. Questions and answers about osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis). National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Accessed Jan. 23, 2015. Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Ariz. Jan. 29, 2015. Issa K, et al. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head: The total hip replacement solution. Bone & Joint Journal. 2013;95-B:46. Products and Services Dead tissue | definition of Dead tissue by Medical dictionary Dead tissue | definition of Dead tissue by Medical dictionary [nĕ-kro´sis, ne-kro´sis] (Gr.) the morphological changes indicative of cell death caused by enzymatic degradation. aseptic necrosis necrosis without infection or inflammation.

acute tubular necrosis acute renal failure with mild to severe damage or necrosis of tubule cells, usually secondary to either nephrotoxicity , ischemia after major surgery, trauma (see crush syndrome ), severe hypovolemia , sepsis, or burns. See also lower nephron nephrosis . Balser's fatty necrosis gangrenous pancreatitis with omental bursitis and disseminated patches of necrosis of fatty tissues. bridging necrosis septa of confluent necrosis bridging adjacent central veins of hepatic lobules and portal triads characteristic of subacute hepatic necrosis. caseous necrosis caseation (def. 2). central necrosis necrosis affecting the central portion of an affected bone, cell, or lobule of the liver. cheesy necrosis caseation (def. 2). coagulation necrosis death of cells, the protoplasm of the cells becoming fixed and opaque by coagulation of the protein elements, the cellular outline persisting for a long time. selective myocardial cell necrosis myofibrillar degeneration .

subcutaneous fat necrosis of newborn a benign, self-limited disease affecting term newborns and young infants, characterized by circumscribed, indurated, nodular areas of fat necrosis. It is thought to be related to trauma on bony prominences during delivery, hypothermia, asphyxia, or maternal diabetes; it usually resolves spontaneously by 2 to 4 weeks with no scarring. Called also adiponecrosis neonatorum or subcutanea . Zenker's necrosis hyaline degeneration and necrosis of striated muscle; called also Zenker's degeneration . ne·cro·sis (nĕ-krō'sis), Pathologic death of one or more cells, or of a portion of tissue or organ, resulting from irreversible damage; earliest irreversible changes are mitochondrial, consisting of swelling and granular calcium deposits seen by electron microscopy; most frequent visible alterations are nuclear: pyknosis, shrunken and abnormally dark basophilic staining; karyolysis, swollen and abnormally pale basophilic staining; or karyorrhexis, rupture, and fragmentation of the nucleus.

After such changes, the outlines of individual cells are indistinct, and affected cells may merge, sometimes forming a focus of coarsely granular, amorphous, or hyaline material. [G. nekrōsis, death, fr. nekroō, to make dead] necrosis /ne·cro·sis/ (nĕ-kro´sis) pl. necro´ses [Gr.] the morphological changes indicative of cell death caused by progressive enzymatic degradation; it may affect groups of cells or part of a structure or an organ. aseptic necrosis necrosis without infection, usually in the head of the femur after traumatic hip dislocation. Balser's fatty necrosis gangrenous pancreatitis with omental bursitis and disseminated patches of necrosis of fatty tissues. (nə-krō′sĭs, nĕ-) n. pl. necro·ses (-sēz′) Death of cells through injury or disease, especially in a localized area of a tissue or organ. ne·crot′ic (-krŏt′ĭk) adj.

necrosis [nekrō′sis] Etymology: Gk, nekros + osis, condition localized tissue death that occurs in groups of cells in response to disease or injury. In coagulation necrosis, blood clots block the flow of blood, causing tissue ischemia distal to the clot. In gangrenous necrosis, ischemia combined with bacterial action causes putrefaction to set in. See also gangrene . Tissue necrosis necrosis Cell or tissue death due to disease, trauma, hypoxia, radiation, acute infection, etc.; the constellation of changes that accompany and follow irreversible cell injury in living organisms. necrosis Pathology Cell or tissue death due to disease, trauma, hypoxia, radiation, acute infection, etc; the constellation of changes that accompany and follow irreversible cell injury in living organisms.

See Acute tubular necrosis , Aseptic necrosis , Bridging necrosis, Coagulation necrosis, Colliquative necrosis, Contraction band necrosis, Cystic medial necrosis, Fat necrosis , Fibrinoid necrosis , Liquefaction necrosis, Lymph node necrosis , Osteonecrosis, Osteoradionecrosis , Papillary necrosis , Piecemeal necrosis, PORN . ne·cro·sis , pl. necroses (nĕ-krō'sis, -sēz) Pathologic death of one or more cells, or of a portion of tissue or organ, resulting from irreversible damage; earliest irreversible changes are mitochondrial, consisting of swelling and granular calcium deposits seen by electron microscopy; most frequent visible alterations are nuclear pyknosis and abnormally dark basophilic staining; karyolysis, swelling and abnormally pale basophilic staining; or karyorrhexis, rupture and fragmentation of the nucleus. After such changes, the outlines of individual cells are indistinct, and affected cells may become merged, sometimes forming a focus of coarsely granular, amorphous, or hyaline material. [G.

nekrōsis, death, fr. nekroō, to make dead] necrosis (ne-kro'sis) ('sez?) plural.necroses [Gr. nekrosis, (state of) death] NECROSIS: Necrotic wound of the foot The death of cells, tissues, or organs. Necrosis may be caused by insufficient blood supply, pathogenic microorganisms, physical agents such as trauma or radiant energy (electricity, infrared, ultraviolet, roentgen, and radium rays), and chemical agents acting locally, acting internally after absorption, or placed into the wrong tissue. Some medicines cause necrosis if injected into the tissues rather than the vein, and some, such as iron dextran, cause necrosis if injected into areas other than deep muscle or vein. See: illustration; gangrene ; mortification necrotizing (nek'ro-tiz?ing), adjective acute esophageal necrosis See: Zenker, Friedrich Albert von necrosis The structural changes, such as those of GANGRENE , that follow death of a body tissue. The most obvious changes are in the cell nuclei which become shrunken and condensed (pyknosis) and no longer take a basic stain.

Cell CYTOPLASM becomes more homogeneous and spaces (vacuoles) develop. necrosis the localized death of plant and animal tissue, such as the response of a leaf to invasion by a pathogen. An affected area is described as being ‘necrotic’. see DIPHTHERIA . Necrosis The death of cells, a portion of tissue, or a portion of an organ due to permanent damage of some sort, such as a lack of oxygen supply to the tissues. Mentioned in: Anaerobic Infections , Angiography , Flesh-Eating Disease , Necrotizing Enterocolitis necrosis pathological cell or tissue death, due to irreversible damage following e.g. (chemical, thermal or mechanical) trauma, ischaemia, infection necrosis (n n tissue death due to disease or localized injury. necrosis Death of some or all cells in an organ or tissue. The process involves swelling of the nucleus (pyknosis), fragmentation of the nucleus (karyorrhexis) and complete dissolution of the nuclear chromatin (karyolysis). Necrosis is caused by disease, trauma or interference with blood supply. There are many sequelae to ocular necrosis (e.g.

inflammation, reduction in aqueous humour production following ciliary epithelium necrosis, corneal opacity following necrosis of corneal epithelial cells, and visual loss and floaters following retinal necrosis). See apoptosis ; retinal necrosis. ne·cro·sis , pl. necroses (nĕ-krō'sis, -sēz) Pathologic death of one or more cells, or of a portion of tissue or organ, resulting from irreversible damage. [G. nekrōsis, death, fr. nekroō, to make dead] necrosis (nekrō´sis), n 1. the death of a cell or group of cells in contact with living tissue. n 2. the local death of cells resulting from, e.g., loss of blood supply, bacterial toxins, or physical or chemical agents. necrosis, avascular n the consequence of temporary or permanent cessation of blood flow to the bones. The absence of blood causes the bone tissue to die, resulting in fracture or collapse of the entire bone.

necrosis, caseous femoral head - ReLife International Medical Center femoral head Introduction： Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) refers to the death of bone tissue at the proximal end of the femur (hip joint), due to a loss of blood supply, which leads to ischaemia. Such events can result from trauma to the area or can be non-traumatic and in some cases, idiopathic. The femoral head is susceptible to avascular necrosis (AVN) due to minimal collateral blood supply. Avascular necrosis has been attributed to numerous causes including radiation therapy, corticosteroid use, trauma, thrombosis, infection, sickle cell disease, Gaucher disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, hereditary thrombophilia, alcohol abuse and chronic pancreatitis. Recently, mutations in COL2A1 have been linked to familial avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The majority of patients are adults, aged between 30 and 60 years and the disease is seen more often in males than females.

Studies show that ANFH prevalence is increasing Pathogenesis: The factors initiating ischaemia in ANFH can be placed in four categories: 1.Mechanical vascular interruption Tissue trauma, such as fracture or repetitive mechanical force, resulting in shearing or rupture of vessels 2.Arterial thrombosis or embolism 3.Injury to or pressure on a vessel wall 4.Venous occlusion Increased venous pressure or stasis leading to reduced blood flow in the preceding artery Diagnosis A patient with ANFH may present clinically with pain or functional abnormality, however ANFH is usually diagnosed via imaging, including radiography and occasionally magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Diagnostic imaging is based on the classification systems. Clinical presentation Symptomatic presentation varies depending on the stage, type and location of the infarct. Pain is the predominant symptom of ANFH, often with gradual onset. However, in traumatic cases the onset of pain can be more rapid. ANFH pain is often exacerbated with movement. While pain is initially unilateral, the pain becomes bilateral after two years. Function often declines with disease progression, but this may be somewhat attributed to worsening pain. Imagings will show bone collapse，loss of spherical contour, femoral head collapse.

Different opinions on ONFH treatment How can Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head (ONFH) be treated? Many patients, when they are told of being suffering from ONFH, are at a loss as to different opinions given by doctors. Some health care providers prefer the patients with ONFH to take some painkillers at home instead of receiving treatment at hospital considering the obstinacy of the disease, still there are some other doctors insisting that the only choice for ONFH patients is to do surgery. Such different opinions make patients so confused as to what they can do next. Then which opinion sounds more logical? Right choice: It does not hold water either to say that depending on prolonged drug therapy can cure the ONFH once and for all or to insist that patients with ONFH can only deal with it by artificial joint replacement when femoral head fully collapse. More scientific choice is to receive different treatment according to different stages of the disease and also the degree to which the femoral head necrosis has developed. Patients are recommended to do artificial joint replacement only when the femoral head has fully collapsed.

ONFH Treatment at ReLife ReLife employs combined five steps therapy to treat Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head, for each of which has unique effects at different stages. These combined five steps in a gradual and subtle way not only stimulates the catabolism of dead bone cells but also boosts the growth of new bone cells, forming massive collateral circulation in a short term to improve the blood circulation of the femoral head at root, finally cure the disease. These five steps are: Stimulate blood circulation and remove blood stasis Boost the regrowth of bone cells Traditional Chinese Medicine to tonify kidney, invigorate the blood, dispel blood stasis, and remove the stagnation of the channels through which the vital energy circulates inside our body. Extractive injection. The extractives are Sanqi Panax Notoginseng Injection and polypeptide growth factors, extracted respectively from herbs, which help to stimulate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, and from animal bone, which stimulate osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, restoring the necrotic bone. Rehabilitation exercise INQUIRY Please click “Quick-Inquiry” and briefly describe your condition, we will shortly allocate the right doctor to consult your case.

Please be sure that your personal information is safe with us, we will not disclose it to any third party. ReLife International Medical Center is dedicated to provide the most caring and effective solution to all of the patients. * Name Ischemia, Infarct and Necrosis Definitions and Meaning | Healthhype.com Home » Current Health Articles » Ischemia, Infarct and Necrosis Definitions and Meaning Ischemia, Infarct and Necrosis Definitions and Meaning Tweet What is Ischemia? Ischemia is the medical term for an inadequate blood supply to a specific area of the body. This results in a reduced oxygen supply as blood has difficulty in reaching the target tissues or organs. Ischemia can be partial or complete. Partial ischemia may cause hypoxia, which is too little oxygen reaching the area. Complete ischemia results in anoxia, where no oxygen reaches the target area, and if this is not corrected quickly, it will eventually lead to an infarct. Example : Coronary artery disease results in narrowing of the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Less oxygen is able to reach the heart muscle resulting in ischemia which is sometimes experienced as chest pain, known as angina.

What is Infarct? Infarct is the when there is death of tissue with surrounding inflammation due to a sudden and complete loss of arterial blood supply. It is often preceded by ischemic injury but if it is gradual and there is only partial ischemia, the body can quickly develop collateral blood supply to the target area. This means that new vessels will branch of from neighboring arteries to carry oxygenated blood to the area. An infarct is a serious medical condition that causes severe disability or even death, depending on the tissue or organ affected. Ask a Doctor Online Now! Example : Total occlusion (blockage) of a coronary artery can result in a myocardial infarct (heart attack) if there is no collateral blood supply to supplement the oxygen provided by the blocked vessel. This leads to an infarct where a portion of the heart muscle dies and the surrounding tissue becomes inflamed. Ischemia and an infarct can occur in any tissue or organ in the body but is the most life threatening when it affects the heart (heart attack) or brain (cerebrovascular accident or stroke).

Although ischemia and infarct are often discussed in the context of a blockage in the artery, like plaques in atherosclerosis or a blood clot (thrombus or embolus), it can also arise from a rupture in the artery thereby preventing oxygenated blood from reaching the target tissue. What is Necrosis? Necrosis is the medical term for the death of living cells or tissue. Necrosis occurs due to unnatural factors, as a consequence of external factors. Necrosis should not be confused with apoptosis which is natural cell death. The exact time of cell death cannot be ascertained, therefore necrosis is technically the structural changes that occur within the cell as a result of death. Necrotic tissue undergoes these changes for a number of reasons – either due to oxygen deprivation, enzymatic dissolution, infection and other forms of trauma to the cell. Process of Cell Death Cell death may occur due to a number of reasons. However, the changes that occur from an interrupted oxygen supply to a cell may progress as follows : The cell’s mitochondria (energy factories) switch to anaerobic respiration due to the lack of oxygen and lactic acid is produced.

This lactic acid builds up in the cell and drops the pH (making it acidic) within the cell. This acidic environment within the cell triggers the release of enzymes known as lysosomes. These lysosomes begin the cellular breakdown. The cell membrane cannot maintain its normal function and cellular products escape the cell, while other compounds from the surrounding tissue fluid enters the cell. This then permanently damages the mitochondria, rendering them inactive, while any proteins within the cells are denatured. The nucleus of the cell then undergoes changes leading to the damage of the DNA and other structures within the nucleus. The cytoplasm of the cell becomes flooded and the cell swells. The cell membrane ruptures and adjacent cell remnants fuse into a mass. The enzymes and other substances released from a ruptured cell can also kill healthy cells lying adjacent to it, thereby perpetuating the spread of necrosis. Alternatively it may cause inflammation of the surrounding healthy tissue. A large mass of necrotic tissue is known as gangrene. Dead tissue - definition of Dead tissue by The Free Dictionary Dead tissue - definition of Dead tissue by The Free Dictionary (nə-krō′sĭs, nĕ-) n. pl.

ne·cro·ses (-sēz′) Death of cells through injury or disease, especially in a localized area of a tissue or organ. [Late Latin necrōsis, a causing to die, killing, from Greek nekrōsis, death, from nekroun, to make dead, from nekros, corpse; see nek-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] ne·crot′ic (-krŏt′ĭk) adj. necrosis (nɛˈkrəʊsɪs) n 1. (Pathology) the death of one or more cells in the body, usually within a localized area, as from an interruption of the blood supply to that part 2. (Botany) death of plant tissue due to disease, frost, etc [C17: New Latin from Greek nekrōsis, from nekroun to kill, from nekros corpse] necrotic adj Gangrene | definition of gangrene by Medical dictionary Gangrene | definition of gangrene by Medical dictionary Definition Gangrene is the term used to describe the decay or death of an organ or tissue caused by a lack of blood supply.

It is a complication resulting from infectious or inflammatory processes, injury, or degenerative changes associated with chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus . Description Gangrene may be caused by a variety of chronic diseases and post-traumatic, post-surgical, and spontaneous causes. There are three major types of gangrene: dry, moist, and gas (a type of moist gangrene). Dry gangrene is a condition that results when one or more arteries become obstructed. In this type of gangrene, the tissue slowly dies, due to receiving little or no blood supply, but does not become infected. The affected area becomes cold and black, begins to dry out and wither, and eventually drops off over a period of weeks or months. Dry gangrene is most common in persons with advanced blockages of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) resulting from diabetes. Moist gangrene may occur in the toes, feet, or legs after a crushing injury or as a result of some other factor that causes blood flow to the area to suddenly stop. When blood flow ceases, bacteria begin to invade the muscle and thrive, multiplying quickly without interference from the body's immune system.

Gas gangrene, also called myonecrosis, is a type of moist gangrene that is commonly caused by bacterial infection with Clostridium welchii, Cl. perfringes, Cl. septicum, Cl. novyi, Cl. histolyticum, Cl. sporogenes, or other species that are capable of thriving under conditions where there is little oxygen (anaerobic). Once present in tissue, these bacteria produce gasses and poisonous toxins as they grow. Normally inhabiting the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and female genital tract, they often infect thigh amputation wounds, especially in those individuals who have lost control of their bowel functions (incontinence). Gangrene, incontinence, and debility often are combined in patients with diabetes, and it is in the amputation stump of diabetic patients that gas gangrene is often found to occur. Other causative organisms for moist gangrene include various bacterial strains, including Streptococcus and Staphylococcus.

A serious, but rare form of infection with Group A Streptococcus can impede blood flow and, if untreated, can progress to synergistic gangrene, more commonly called necrotizing fasciitis, or infection of the skin and tissues directly beneath the skin. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis, or diseases affecting the blood vessels, such as Buerger's disease or Raynaud's disease, can cause gangrene. Post-traumatic causes of gangrene include compound fractures , burns, and injections given under the skin or in a muscle. Gangrene may occur following surgery, particularly in individuals with diabetes mellitus or other long-term (chronic) disease. In addition, gas gangrene can be also be a complication of dry gangrene or occur spontaneously in association with an underlying cancer . In the United States, approximately 50% of moist gangrene cases are the result of a severe traumatic injury, and 40% occur following surgery. Car and industrial accidents, crush injuries, and gunshot wounds are the most common traumatic causes. Because of prompt surgical management of wounds with the removal of dead tissue, the incidence of gangrene from trauma has significantly diminished.

Surgeries involving the bile ducts or intestine are the most frequent procedures causing gangrene. Approximately two-thirds of cases affect the extremities, and the remaining one-third involve the abdominal wall. Symptoms Areas of either dry or moist gangrene are initially characterized by a red line on the skin that marks the border of the affected tissues. As tissues begin to die, dry gangrene may cause some pain in the early stages or may go unnoticed, especially in the elderly or in those individuals with diminished sensation to the affected area. Initially, the area becomes cold, numb, and pale before later changing in color to brown, then black. This dead tissue will gradually separate from the healthy tissue and fall off. Moist gangrene and gas gangrene are distinctly different. Gas gangrene does not involve the skin as much, but usually only the muscle. In moist or gas gangrene, there is a sensation of heaviness in the affected region that is followed by severe pain. The pain is caused by swelling resulting from fluid or gas accumulation in the tissues. This pain peaks, on average, between one to four days following the injury, with a range of eight hours to several weeks.

The swollen skin may initially be blistered, red, and warm to the touch before progressing to a bronze, brown, or black color. In approximately 80% of cases, the affected and surrounding tissues may produce crackling sounds (crepitus), as a result of gas bubbles accumulating under the skin. The gas may be felt beneath the skin (palpable). In wet gangrene, the pus is foul-smelling, while in gas gangrene, there is no true pus, just an almost "sweet" smelling watery discharge. Fever , rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, altered mental state, loss of appetite, diarrhea , vomiting, and vascular collapse may also occur if the bacterial toxins are allowed to spread in the bloodstream. Gas gangrene can be a life-threatening condition and should receive prompt medical attention Diagnosis A diagnosis of gangrene will be based on a combination of the patient history, a physical examination , and the results of blood and other laboratory tests. A physician will look for a history of recent trauma, surgery, cancer, or chronic disease. Blood tests will be used to determine whether infection is present and determine the extent to which an infection has spread.

A sample of drainage from a wound, or obtained through surgical exploration, may be cultured with oxygen (aerobic) and without oxygen (anaerobic) to identify the microorganism causing the infection and to aid in determining which antibiotic will be most effective. The sample obtained from a person with gangrene will contain few, if any, white blood cells and, when stained (with Gram stain) and examined under the microscope, will show the presence of purple (Gram positive), rod-shaped bacteria. X-ray studies and more sophisticated imaging techniques, such as computed tomography scans (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be helpful in making a diagnosis since gas accumulation and muscle death (myonecrosis) may be visible. These techniques, however, are not sufficient alone to provide an accurate diagnosis of gangrene. Precise diagnosis of gas gangrene often requires surgical exploration of the wound. During such a procedure, the exposed muscle may appear pale, beefy-red, or in the most advanced stages, black. If infected, the muscle will fail to contract with stimulation, and the cut surface will not bleed. Treatment Gas gangrene is a medical emergency because of the threat of the infection rapidly spreading via the bloodstream and infecting vital organs.

It requires immediate surgery and administration of antibiotics . Areas of dry gangrene that remain free from infection (aseptic) in the extremities are most often left to wither and fall off. Treatments applied to the wound externally (topically) are generally not effective without adequate blood supply to support wound healing. Assessment by a vascular surgeon, along with x rays to determine blood supply and circulation to the affected area, can help determine whether surgical intervention would be beneficial. Once the causative organism has been identified, moist gangrene requires the prompt initiation of intravenous, intramuscular, and/or topical broad-spec-trum antibiotic therapy. In addition, the infected tissue must be removed surgically ( debridement ), and amputation of the affected extremity may be necessary. Pain medications ( analgesics ) are prescribed to control discomfort. Intravenous fluids and, occasionally, blood transfusions are indicated to counteract shock and replenish red blood cells and electrolytes. Adequate hydration and nutrition are vital to wound healing. Although still controversial, some cases of gangrene are treated by administering oxygen under pressure greater than that of the atmosphere (hyperbaric) to the patient in a specially designed chamber.

The theory behind using hyperbaric oxygen is that more oxygen will become dissolved in the patient's bloodstream, and therefore, more oxygen will be delivered to the gangrenous areas. By providing optimal oxygenation, the body's ability to fight off the bacterial infection are believed to be improved, and there is a direct toxic effect on the bacteria that thrive in an oxygen-free environment. Some studies have shown that the use of hyperbaric oxygen produces marked pain relief, reduces the number of amputations required, and reduces the extent of surgical debridement required. Patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen treatments must be monitored closely for evidence of oxygen toxicity. Symptoms of this toxicity include slow heart rate, profuse sweating, ringing in the ears, shortness of breath , nausea and vomiting, twitching of the lips/cheeks/eyelids/nose, and convulsions. The emotional needs of the patient must also be met. The individual with gangrene should be offered moral support, along with an opportunity to share questions and concerns about changes in body image. In addition, particularly in cases where amputation was required, physical, vocational, and rehabilitation therapy will also be required.

Prognosis Except in cases where the infection has been allowed to spread through the blood stream, prognosis is generally favorable. Anaerobic wound infection can progress quickly from initial injury to gas gangrene within one to two days, and the spread of the infection in the blood stream is associated with a 20-25% mortality rate. If recognized and treated early, however, approximately 80% of those with gas gangrene survive, and only 15-20% require any form of amputation. Unfortunately, the individual with dry gangrene most often has multiple other health problems that complicate recovery, and it is usually those other system failures that can prove fatal. Prevention Patients with diabetes or severe arteriosclerosis should take particular care of their hands and feet because of the risk of infection associated with even a minor injury. Education about proper foot care is vital. Diminished blood flow as a result of narrowed vessels will not lessen the body's defenses against invading bacteria. Measures taken towards the reestablishment of circulation are recommended whenever possible. Any abrasion, break in the skin, or infection tissue should be cared for immediately. Any dying or infected skin must be removed promptly to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Key terms Basoglu, M., et al. "Fournier's Gangrene: Review of Fifteen Cases." American Surgeon November 1997: 1019-1021. gangrene [gang´grēn] the death of body tissue, generally in considerable mass, usually associated with loss of vascular (nutritive) supply, and followed by bacterial invasion and putrefaction. Although it usually affects the extremities, gangrene sometimes may involve the internal organs. Symptoms depend on the site and include fever, pain, darkening of the skin, and an unpleasant odor. If the condition involves an internal organ, it is generally attended by pain and collapse. Treatment includes correcting the causes and is frequently successful with modern medications and surgery. Types of Gangrene . The three major types are moist, dry, and gas gangrene. Moist and dry gangrene result from loss of blood circulation due to various causes; gas gangrene occurs in wounds infected by anaerobic bacteria, among which are various species of Clostridium, which break down tissue by gas production and by toxins.

Moist gangrene is caused by sudden stoppage of blood, resulting from burning by heat or acid, severe freezing, physical accident that destroys the tissue, a tourniquet that has been left on too long, or a clot or other embolism. At first, tissue affected by moist gangrene has the color of a bad bruise, is swollen, and often blistered. The gangrene is likely to spread with great speed. Toxins are formed in the affected tissues and absorbed. Dry gangrene occurs gradually and results from slow reduction of the blood flow in the arteries. There is no subsequent bacterial decomposition; the tissues become dry and shriveled. It occurs only in the extremities, and can occur with arteriosclerosis, in old age, or in advanced stages of diabetes mellitus . buerger's disease can also sometimes cause dry gangrene. Symptoms include gradual shrinking of the tissue, which becomes cold and lacking in pulse, and turns first brown and then black. Usually a line of demarcation is formed where the gangrene stops, owing to the fact that the tissue above this line continues to receive an adequate supply of blood.

Gas gangrene results from dirty lacerated wounds infected by anaerobic bacteria, especially species of Clostridium. It is an acute, severe, painful condition in which muscles and subcutaneous tissues become filled with gas and a serosanguineous exudate. Internal Gangrene. In strangulated hernia , a loop of intestine is caught in the bulge and its blood supply is cut off; gangrene may occur in that section of tissue. In acute appendicitis , areas of gangrene may occur in the walls of the appendix with consequent rupture through a gangrenous area. In severe cases of cholecystitis , which is usually associated with gallstones, gangrene may develop where the stones compress the mucous membrane. Thrombosis of the mesenteric artery may result in gangrene. Gangrene can be a rare complication of lung abscess in pneumonia; a symptom is brown sputum with a foul smell. Prevention. To prevent gangrene in an open wound, the wound should be kept as clean as possible. Special wound care is particularly important in patients with diabetes mellitus, malnutrition, and immunodeficiency.

frostbite is especially dangerous, for the freezing impedes circulation, skin becomes tender and easily broken, and underlying cells are destroyed. Fournier's gangrene an acute gangrenous infection of the scrotum, penis, or perineum following local trauma, operative procedures, an underlying urinary tract disease, or a distant acute inflammatory process. Called also Fournier's disease . gas gangrene a condition often resulting from dirty, lacerated wounds in which the muscles and subcutaneous tissue become filled with gas and a serosanguineous exudate. It is due to species of Clostridium that break down tissue by gas production and by toxins. gan·grene (gang'grēn), Avoid the mispronunciation gang-grēn'. 1. Necrosis due to obstruction, loss, or diminution of blood supply; it may be localized to a small area or involve an entire extremity or organ (for example, bowel), and may be wet or dry. Synonym(s): mortification 2. Extensive necrosis from any cause, for example, gas gangrene. [G. gangraina, an eating sore, fr.

graō, to gnaw] gangrene /gan·grene/ (gang´grēn) death of tissue, usually in considerable mass, generally with loss of vascular (nutritive) supply and followed by bacterial invasion and putrefaction.gang´renous diabetic gangrene moist gangrene associated with diabetes. dry gangrene that occurring without subsequent bacterial decomposition, the tissues becoming dry and shriveled. embolic gangrene a condition following cutting off of blood supply by embolism. gas gangrene an acute, severe, painful condition in which the muscles and subcutaneous tissues become filled with gas and a serosanguineous exudate; due to infection of wounds by anaerobic bacteria, among which are various species of Clostridium . moist gangrene that associated with proteolytic decomposition resulting from bacterial action. symmetric gangrene gangrene of corresponding digits on both sides, due to vasomotor disturbances. gangrene (găng′grēn′, găng-grēn′) n.

Death and decay of body tissue, often in a limb or digit, caused by insufficient blood supply to the affected area as a result of injury, infection, or disease, and commonly classified as wet (when bacterial infection is involved) or dry (when infection is not a significant factor). tr. & intr.v. gan·grened, gan·grening, gan·grenes To affect or become affected with gangrene. gan′gre·nous (găng′grə-nəs) adj. gangrene [gang′grēn] Etymology: Gk, gangraina, a gnawing sore necrosis or death of tissue, usually the result of ischemia (loss of blood supply), bacterial invasion, and subsequent putrefaction. The extremities are most often affected, but it can occur in the intestines and gallbladder. Internally gangrene may be a complication of strangulated hernia, appendicitis, cholecystitis, or thrombosis of the mesenteric arteries to the gut. Dry gangrene is a late complication of diabetes mellitus that is already complicated by arteriosclerosis, in which the affected extremity becomes cold, dry, and shriveled and eventually turns black.

Moist gangrene may follow a crushing injury or an obstruction of blood flow by an embolism, tight bandages, or a tourniquet. This form of gangrene has an offensive odor, spreads rapidly, and may result in death within days. In all types of gangrene, surgical debridement is necessary to remove the necrotic tissue before healing can progress. Cleanliness and maintenance of good circulation are considerations essential in preventing this condition. See also gas gangrene , open amputation . gangrenous, adj.

Gangrene gangrene Pathology Tissue death, often due to loss of adequate blood supply, which is most common in the distal lower extremities or internal organs–eg, the large intestine; the gangrene type is a function of the environment or host Gangrene types Dry gangrene A condition caused by chronic occlusion that slowly progresses to severe tissue atrophy and mummification, often associated with peripheral vascular disease, eg DM, atherosclerosis Gas gangrene A condition most common in open or dirty wounds infected by gas-producing gram-positive anaerobes, eg Clostridium perfringens, C histolytica, C septicum, C novyi, and C fallax which release histolytic enzymes, eg collagenase, fibrinolysin, hyaluronidase, and lecithinase Wet gangrene A condition caused by relatively acute vascular occlusion, eg burns, freezing, crush injuries, and thromboembolism, resulting in liquefactive necrosis, causing bleb and bullae formation with violaceous discoloration gan·grene (gang'grēn) 1.

Necrosis due to obstruction, loss, or diminution of blood supply; it may be localized to a small area or involve an entire extremity or organ (e.g., bowel), and may be wet or dry. Gangrene caused by local impairments of blood flow. gangrene Death of tissue, usually as a result of loss of an adequate blood supply. Gangrene is most commonly caused by disease of arteries that cause narrowing and obstruction, but may result from any other cause of arterial obstruction. If uninfected, this is called dry gangrene. The extremities are most commonly affected. Infection in gangrenous tissue causes putrefaction, producing wet gangrene. Gas gangrene is the result of deep infection, especially of muscle, with ANAEROBIC organisms, such as Clostridium welchii . This organism produces gas within the tissues. gangrene death or decay of a body part due to poor blood circulation, sometimes involving bacterial infection such as Clostridium perfringens with release of gas. gangrene tissue necrosis due to loss or reduction of arterial blood supply, e.g.

secondary to proximal atherosclerotic plaque, or embolus dry gangrene area becomes cold, black, dried and shrivelled, with clear line of demarcation between gangrenous and non-gangrenous tissues gas gangrene rapid and marked tissue deterioration secondary to anaerobic, spore-forming bacterial infection (e.g. Clostridium perfringens ) characterized by severe systemic symptoms, increasing generalized sepsis, rapidly spreading cellulitis, and crepitation of local surrounding tissues, due to retained matter; a life-threatening condition moist gangrene secondarily infected, malodorous, moist necrosed tissues wet gangrene ischaemic tissue necrosis, secondarily infected by bacteria, with severe local and spreading cellulitis gangrene, n tissue death due to loss of blood circulation and bacterial activity. Usually affects extremities but can occur as a complication from other diseases such as the gall bladder and intestines. Gangrene. gan·grene (gang'grēn) Avoid the mispronunciation gang-grēn'. 1. Necrosis due to obstruction, loss, or diminution of blood supply; may be localized or involve an entire extremity or organ; may be wet or dry. 2.

Extensive necrosis from any cause. [G. gangraina, an eating sore, fr. graō, to gnaw] gangrene (gang´grēn), n the death of tissue en masse, usually the result of loss of blood supply, bacterial invasion, and subsequent putrefaction. E.g., gangrene of the pulp is total death and necrosis of the pulp. All types require the removal of the necrotic tissue before healing can progress. gangrene, dry, n a late complication of diabetes mellitus that is already complicated by arteriosclerosis in which the affected extremity becomes cold, dry, and shriveled and eventually turns black. gangrene, gas, n the necrosis accompanied by gas bubbles in soft tissue after trauma or surgery. It is caused by anaerobic microorganisms such as various species of Clostridium, particularly

Question: What name is given to the death of tissue due to failure of the blood supply?
Answer: Necrosis