Necrotisk

Necrotisk is an adjective used in several Nordic languages to describe tissue or processes associated with necrosis, the death of cells in living tissue. It denotes non-viable tissue resulting from injury or disease and is distinguished from programmed cell death (apoptosis). In medical contexts, necrotisk refers to tissue that shows irreversible damage and inflammation due to disruption of blood supply, infection, toxins, or trauma.

Necrosis arises when cells lose membrane integrity and function, often following ischemia or hypoxia. Different patterns reflect underlying mechanisms: coagulative necrosis preserves tissue architecture but with protein denaturation; liquefactive necrosis results in a viscous, enzyme-digested mass (common in the brain and abscesses); caseous necrosis creates a cheese-like debris typical of tuberculosis; fat necrosis involves adipose tissue with saponification; gangrenous necrosis describes extensive tissue death, which may be dry or infected (wet gangrene). The presence and type of necrotic tissue depend on location, cause, and duration of injury.

Clinical significance centers on the impact of necrotic tissue on organ function and risk of infection or sepsis. Necrosis can hinder healing and may require intervention to remove dead tissue and control infection. Diagnosis uses clinical assessment, imaging, and histopathology to distinguish necrosis from other tissue changes and to identify the underlying cause.

Management focuses on treating the root cause (revascularization, antimicrobial therapy, or toxin removal) and on debridement or surgical excision of necrotic tissue when necessary. Supportive care and wound management are important, and prognosis varies with the extent and location of necrosis and the success of addressing the underlying condition.