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

Three patients with ANLL developed Fournier's gangrene as an early complica tion after allo-BMT (two cases) and auto-BMT (one case); two patients were in first CR, the third had resistant disease. Patients developed fever, per ineal pain, swelling and blistering of the genital area. Pseudomonas aerugi nosa was isolated from the lesions and patients received systemic antibioti c 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 die d of leukemia. Early diagnosis of this disorder and prompt initiation of ap propriate therapy can prevent progression of this acute necrotizing infecti on.