HYPERBARIC TREATMENT OF CLOSTRIDIAL MYOSITIS AND MYONECROSIS

Course overview

CLOSTRIDIAL MYONECROSIS, ALSO CALLED GAS GANGRENE, CAN RAPIDLY CAUSE DEATH IF NOT IMMEDIATELY DETECTED AND TREATED. IT IS CAUSED BY THE ANAEROBIC SPORE-FORMING EXOTOXIN-PRODUCING BACTERIA CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS. IMMEDIATE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT ARE REQUIRED WHEN GAS GANGRENE IS A DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, EVALUATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF CLOSTRIDIAL MYONECROSIS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE CARE OF AFFECTED PATIENTS.