Fournier's gangrene: a clinical presentation of necrotizing fasciitis after bone marrow transplantation

Three patients with ANLL developed Fournier's gangrene as an early complication after allo-BMT (two cases) and auto-BMT (one case); two patients were in first CR, the third had resistant disease. Patients developed fever, perineal pain, swelling and blistering of the genital area. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from the lesions and patients received systemic antibiotic therapy, surgical debridement and medication with potassium permanganate solution. Two patients made a complete recovery although one died of sepsis, The third had progressive involvement of the abdominal wall and later died of leukemia. Early diagnosis of this disorder and prompt initiation of appropriate therapy can prevent progression of this acute necrotizing infection.