Fournier’s Gangrene in a Patient with Suspected Anal Fissure during Anti-cancer Chemotherapy for Breast Carcinoma

Korean J Leg Med. 2011 May;35(1):49-52. Korean.

Department of Forensic Medicine, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwang-ju, Korea. ysk007@hotmail.com

Fournier’s gangrene is a polymicrobial necrotizing infection of the perineal, genital or perianal regions. It is commonly associated with chronic alcoholism, diabetes, immunosuppression or chemotherapy for malignant disease and occurs rarely in female. Rapid progression to sepsis and consequent organ failure may occur if clinical diagnosis or surgical intervention is delayed. The present case is a 40-year-old female with presumptive anal fissure while she underwent anti-cancer chemotherapy for breast carcinoma. She died suddenly in the hospital without knowing any probable cause of death. Through the autopsy, necrotizing inflammation of pelvic soft tissue and suppurative peritonitis were noted. The author presents the clinical feature of the case and the autopsy findings with literature review.

Key words : anal fissure, chemotherapy, breast carcinoma, necrotizing inflammation, peritonitis

Case report