Symmetrical Peripheral Gangrene, a Serious Complication of Sepsis

Lakshmi Kant Pathak^1, , Vimala Vijayaraghavan² and Nataliya Ana Wilson³

¹Assistant Professor of Medicine, University Of North Dakota, Fargo, ND, USA

²Caribbean Medical School, Chicago Campus, Chicago, USA

³Methodist Charlton Hospital, Dallas, Texas, USA

Cite this paper

Lakshmi Kant Pathak, Vimala Vijayaraghavan and Nataliya Ana Wilson. Symmetrical Peripheral Gangrene, a Serious Complication of Sepsis. American Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2015; 3(9):286-287. doi: 10.12691/AJMCR-3-9-6

Abstract

Symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) is a rare but devastating complication of septicemia, with a high mortality rate. About half of the patients who survive require amputation of the affected limb. The common etiologies include both infective and non-infective etiologies. Aggravating factors include asplenia, immunosuppression, and previous cold injury to extremities, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, increased sympathetic tone and use of vasopressors. [1] SPG is defined as symmetrical distal ischemic damage at two or more sites in the absence of large vessel obstruction or vasculitis, sometimes used synonymously as purpura fulminans. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and hemorrhagic infarction of skin with uninvolved proximal arteries are hallmark of this condition [2].

Keywords

symmetrical peripheral gangrene , septicemia

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References

[1]	CMAJ • OCT. 29, 2002; 167 (9) Symmetrical peripheral gangrene: a rare but dreadful complication of sepsis.
[2]	JAPI • VOL. 56 • JUNE 2008 R Avasthi, SC Chaudhary, KP Singh, JS Makker.
[3]	Ghosh SK, Bandyopadhyay D. Symmetrical peripheral gangrene. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2011; 77: 244-8.