Tetanus following Fournier's gangrene: case report and literature review

Abstract

A forty-year-old man with Tetanus complicating Fournier's gangrene seen at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria is presented. Fournier's gangrene is a form of necrotizing fascitis affecting the scrotum. It can occur in otherwise healthy individual, but in many cases underlying problems like diabetes mellitus, perineal abscess, periurethral sepsis, etc causes it. Tetanus, a common neurological disorder associated with high morbidity and mortality has been found to be in rare occurrence with Fournier's gangrene. The rare association is important, as early identification of features of tetanus with quick intervention will reduce morbidity and mortality. The patient was managed in the intensive care unit using minimal available resources.

Keywords: scrotal sepsis, Fournier's gangrene, tetanus

Annals of Nigerian Medicine Vol. 1(2) 2005: 22-24