nekrotisk

Nekrotisk is an adjective used in medical contexts to describe tissue that has undergone necrosis, the death of cells or tissue caused by irreversible injury. Necrosis differs from apoptosis in that it involves loss of cell membrane integrity, leakage of intracellular contents, and often a local inflammatory response. The term comes from the Greek nekrosis, meaning death.

Causes include ischemia from reduced blood flow, hypoxia, toxins, infections, trauma, and inflammatory processes. Pancreatitis-related fat necrosis and tissue destruction from severe infections are other examples. Morphologically, several patterns are recognized: coagulative necrosis, where tissue architecture is preserved but proteins are denatured (common in heart and kidney); liquefactive necrosis, when tissue becomes liquid (as in brain abscesses); caseous necrosis, with a cheese-like appearance (typical of tuberculosis); fat necrosis, from enzymatic fat destruction; and gangrenous necrosis, which combines ischemia with infection. Vascular immune injury may produce fibrinoid necrosis in affected vessels.

Clinical significance: nekrotisk tissue is nonviable and can impair organ function or serve as a nidus for infection. Diagnosis relies on histology and imaging to identify tissue death and its pattern. Histological features vary by type, but commonly include loss of nuclei and increased eosinophilia.

Management focuses on treating the underlying cause and removing necrotic tissue when feasible, such as surgical or conservative debridement, alongside infection control and restoration of perfusion. Prognosis depends on the extent and location of necrosis, with extensive necrosis associated with higher risk of organ failure and sepsis. See also apoptosis, autolysis.