Critical Point-of-care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Fournier’s Gangrene: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Fournier’s gangrene is a severe, necrotizing, and potentially fatal, soft tissue infection of the perineum that can be difficult to diagnose clinically. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has established a critical role in emergency medicine as a quick diagnostic tool due to its safety, accuracy, and cost effectiveness. Case Report: We present a case in which POCUS was used to rapidly confirm diagnosis in an unstable, severely septic patient presenting to the emergency department with Fournier’s gangrene. Conclusion: Point-of-care ultrasound can be used to make the diagnosis of Fournier’s gangrene in critical patients when other diagnostic modalities are not feasible due to a patient’s clinical state.