Gangrene physical examination

Gangrene Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Gangrene from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
X Ray
CT
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Gangrene physical examination On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Gangrene physical examination All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Gangrene physical examination
CDC on Gangrene physical examination
Gangrene physical examination in the news
Blogs on Gangrene physical examination
Directions to Hospitals Treating Gangrene
Risk calculators and risk factors for Gangrene physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Edzel Lorraine Co, D.M.D., M.D.

Overview

Patients with gangrene may have varying presentations depending on the type of gangrene they have.

Physical Examination

Patients with gangrene may have varying presentations depending on the type of gangrene they have.

Table 1.Physical Examination.

System	Findings
General Appearance	Patient with gangrene usually appears conscious, coherent, and not in cardiorespiratory distress.
Vital Signs	Blood pressure is usually low.
HEENT	Head:Head can be normocephalic.
	Eyes: Eyes can be normal.
	Ears:Ears can be normal.
	Nose:Nose can be normal.
	Throat: Throat can be normal.
Chest / Lungs	Gangrene can lead to sepsis which may manifest with decreased chest expansion, and decreased breath sounds.
Cardiovascular	Gangrene can lead to sepsis which may manifest with dynamic precordium, [[[irregular heart rate]], irregular rhythm, and with heart murmurs.
Abdomen	Patients usually has no pertinent findings.
Skin / Extremities	Patients usually has no pertinent findings.
	Dry Gangrene - The affected part is dry, shrunken, and dark black, resembling mummified flesh. Patient with a peripheral vascular disease that has led to an infarct of several toes. (Image courtesy of Charlie Goldberg, M.D., UCSD School of Medicine and VA Medical Center, San Diego, CA) Same patient. Normal left foot for comparison. (Image courtesy of Charlie Goldberg, M.D., UCSD School of Medicine and VA Medical Center, San Diego, CA)
	Wet Gangrene - The affected part is edematous, soft, putrid, rotten and dark. Person with diabetes who has severe infection and loss of toes (Image courtesy of Charlie Goldberg, M.D., UCSD School of Medicine and VA Medical Center, San Diego, CA)
	Gas Gangrene- Gas gangrene can cause necrosis and gas production.
Skin / Genitalia
Skin / Neurologic

References

Template:WH