Types, causes, symptoms and treatment of soft tissue necrosis
Necrosis is a pathological condition characterized by the cessation of cell activity in soft tissues under the influence of pathogenic microorganisms. Such a pathology is often considered critical, it requires full treatment in hospital conditions. But before starting the treatment of necrosis of soft tissues, the patient is examined and the specific type of the disease and the cause of its development are identified.
Classification of necrosis
There are two forms of necrosis:
- Dry or coagulation. It will be characterized by coagulation of the protein and its transformation into a mass identical to cheese. The skin in the place of dry necrosis will have a gray-yellow shade and a clear border of the pathological process. With coagulation necrosis, in the place where the rejection of the dead tissue takes place, an ulcer is formed, which turns into an abscess. After dissection of a purulent abscess, a fistula is formed. The initial stage of the pathology is characterized by high body temperature and dysfunction of the affected organ. For example, signs of acute kidney necrosis include impaired urine outflow, and in some cases complete cessation of this process.
- Moist, or colliquative. Its main symptoms will be active "swelling" of soft tissues, their thinning in places of complete death, and the formation of a putrid substrate. All this is accompanied by a pronounced smell of rotten meat, and it is impossible to get rid of it, even if all medical measures are taken. Most often, this form of pathology develops in tissues rich in fluids (skin, brain, etc.). The rapid development of the pathology can lead to complications - the consequences of brain necrosis often consist in the loss of memory and basic skills.
Sequestration is considered separately by doctors - it is a form of necrosis inherent in bone tissue. The same can happen with progressive osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone tissue). In this case, any symptoms of cell death will be absent until a purulent abscess appears. After its breakthrough, a fistula with purulent discharge is formed.
In addition to forms, types of necrosis are distinguished in diagnostics:
- Infarction - diagnosed if the blood supply to a specific area of an internal organ suddenly stops. For example, necrosis of the myocardium may be detected during a heart attack or damage to the soft tissues of the brain.
- Gangrene is a condition that develops after rapid necrosis and is characterized by the death of the skin, muscle tissue, and mucous membranes. The causes of necrosis of the skin area around the wound can be very different (from improper treatment of the wound surface to its infection), but gangrene of a specific area begins precisely as a consequence of the condition in question.
- Decubitus ulcers - occur only in bedridden patients who are not properly cared for.
- Avascular or aseptic. This type of classification applies only to necrosis of the femoral head. Most often, it is diagnosed with an injury to this part of the musculoskeletal system or against the background of thrombus blockage of small arteries. Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head is characterized by rapid development - its first signs (severe pain in the problem area, impossibility of independent movement) are intensively expressed already on the third day.
- Fibrinoid. Necrotic changes will be characterized by the infiltration of pathologically changed tissues with fibrin. This type of disease is often diagnosed in the walls of blood vessels, and its precursor can be atherosclerosis.
Treatment of necrosis
The disease can be successfully treated, but only if it is carried out in a medical institution and under constant supervision by specialists. General principles of therapy:
- Necrosis of the teeth, jaw, and gums is diagnosed quickly, because it is accompanied by severe pain and an extremely unpleasant odor from the oral cavity. Patients, as a rule, immediately seek help, and therefore the treatment consists in prescribing medicines - antibacterial drugs, disinfectants. In some cases, dentists have to surgically remove already necrotized areas of soft tissues.
- Death of tissues of internal organs is often diagnosed already in the last stages. For example, the symptoms of pancreatic necrosis are often "smeared". Even when contacting a doctor, the patient is often given an incorrect diagnosis, which threatens the death of a large number of cells of an internal organ. Pancreatic necrosis is usually treated surgically, but the prognosis in this case can be different - from favorable (full recovery) to death.
- Death of bone tissue almost always requires surgical intervention. Surgery for necrosis of the hip joint, for example, consists in removing the problem area and using an endoprosthesis. With timely diagnosis, such treatment always has a favorable prognosis.
- Stages of liver necrosis are the main factor in choosing the method of its treatment. If drug therapy is quite acceptable at the initial stage, then only surgery is considered at the middle and severe stage.
Consultation on how intestinal necrosis is treated and what are the first symptoms of pathology can only be obtained from a qualified doctor. And you can make an appointment on our website Dobrobut.com.