Fournier's gangrene in a rectal cancer patient

Abstract

Introduction: Fournier's gangrene (FG) is caused by a variety of causes, but FG led by rectal cancer is rare.

Presentation of case: A 62-year-old man presented with perineal pain for several days. Multiple black spots on the scrotum and perineum surrounded by erythema were found on a physical exam. Computed tomography showed diffuse air density with subcutaneous edema in the perineum, scrotum, anus, and left lower abdominal wall and showed 4.1 cm-size mass in anus. He was diagnosed with FG caused by rectal cancer. He underwent extensive debridement of the perineum, scrotum, medial buttocks, and diverting loop colostomy of transverse colon. After repeated debridement of some residual necrotic tissue, abdominal perineal resection was performed after 24 days after initial surgery. The patient received reconstruction surgery of the soft tissue defect and discharged on postoperative day 84. He is being followed up without any recurrence for 10 months.

Conclusion: Prompt clinical diagnosis and urgent surgical management are crucial for patient's favorable outcome. The patient in our case study could be recovered by a combined modality therapy we provided.

Keywords: Fournier’s gangrene; Necrotizing fasciitis; Rectal cancer.