Fournier's gangrene in hypersensitivity vasculitis.

Fournier's gangrene in IgE positive hypersensitivity vasculitis demands concurrent high dose immunosuppression, radical surgery and intensive treatment of septic sequelae. Even extended autologous skin grafting is possible with immunosuppression. A case of fulminant necrotizing infection of the genitalia, perineum and abdominal wall during the acute generalization phase of IgE positive hypersensitivity vasculitis is described. Apart from the radical surgical approach, medical treatment demands a different strategy than in classical Fournier's gangrene. The favorable outcome in a 21-year-old man after several months of intensive care could be realized only by close cooperation of internal specialists, urologists and plastic surgeons.