A 41-year-old man is admitted as an emergency to the plastic surgery ward with cellulitis of the perineal area. It rapidly spreads, resulting in Fourn

Subject
Surgery
System
Miscellaneous (Multisystem)

DianaZ

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A 41-year-old man is admitted as an emergency to the plastic surgery ward with cellulitis of the perineal area. It rapidly spreads, resulting in Fournier's gangrene (necrotising fasciitis) and widespread sepsis. This necessitates multiple trips to theatre and admission to ITU. Where is the infection likely to have originated?

A. Camper fascia
B. Corpora cavernosa and testes
C. External and internal spermatic fascia
D. The inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm and Colles fascia
E. Scarpa fascia and Colles fascia

Explanatory Notes:
The perineal membrane (also known as the inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm) and Colles fascia, define an area known as
the superficial perineal space.
The superficial perineal space contains the membraneous and bulbar urethra and bulbourethral glands. It is adjacent to the anterior anal wall and ischiorectal fossae. Infectious disease of the urethra, bulbourethral glands, perineal structures, or rectum can drain into the superficial perineal space. It may spread into the scrotum or into the anterior abdominal wall and rapidly cephalad via the fascial planes as far as the level of the clavicles.
 
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