Fournier's gangrene in a female with spinal cord injury: a case report.

Abstract

We report the case of a woman with spinal cord injury (SCI) who presented to us with Fournier's gangrene. A 60-year-old patient with SCI, ASIA A, neurological level D6, on clean intermittent catheterization presented with rapid necrosis of the perineal region, including the labia and anus, which developed after traumatic catheterizations for clean intermittent catheterization. She required repeated debridement and loop colostomy for management. We conclude that patients with SCI are rarely at risk for Fournier's gangrene secondary to neurogenic bladder and bowel, as well as to impaired sensations and genital flora. Treating physicians need to be aware of this complication in order to prevent mortality.