Nekrotiska

Nekrotiska, in Swedish medical usage, is the adjective describing tissue or changes related to nekrosis (necrosis), the irreversible death of cells or tissues due to injury, ischemia, infection, toxins, or inflammatory processes. Necrosis is a distinct form of cell death from programmed cell death (apoptosis) and is typically accompanied by loss of membrane integrity and uncontrolled enzymatic digestion of cellular components.

There are several recognized morphologic patterns of nekrotiska changes. Coagulative necrosis preserves the general architecture of the tissue for a time while the cells become denatured. Liquefactive necrosis leads to enzymatic digestion that results in a liquid or soft mass, common in brain tissue and abscesses. Caseous necrosis produces a cheese-like appearance, often associated with tuberculosis. Fat necrosis occurs when pancreatic lipases or other enzymes cause adipocytes to break down, seen in pancreatitis. Gangrenous necrosis describes necrosis accompanied by infection, and it can be dry or wet depending on the presence of fluid and inflammation.

Histologically, necrotic cells lose their membrane integrity, swell, and exhibit nuclear changes such as karyolysis, pyknosis, or karyorrhexis. The surrounding tissue often shows an inflammatory response, and debris from dead cells may be cleared gradually or persist if necrosis is extensive.

Clinically, nekrotiska changes signal tissue injury that may require intervention to remove dead tissue, treat the underlying cause (ischemia, infection, toxin exposure), and prevent complications such as infection, sepsis, or organ dysfunction.