Frostbite with tissue necrosis occurs following prolonged exposure of the skin to very cold temperatures. As tissue circumferentially cools to subfreezing temperatures, small extracellular ice crystals form in all skin layers, and may affect underlying soft tissue and bone. After thawing, damage to the vascular endothelial cells causes extravasation of blood with the formation of hemorrhagic blisters. In the most severe cases, distal tissue perfusion never returns after thawing and the bullae only form proximally, because tissue must be at least transiently perfused to form bullae. Tissue infarction is progressive over many weeks as microvascular thrombosis propagates proximally in the digits, with resulting delayed amputations.
Exclusions
Frostbite with tissue necrosis involving multiple body regions
Index Terms
Frostbite with tissue necrosisThird degree frostbiteFourth degree frostbiteFrostbite with tissue necrosis of headFrostbite of head with tissue necrosisSequelae of frostbite with tissue necrosis of headFrostbite of face with tissue necrosisFrostbite with tissue necrosis of neckfrostbite of neck with tissue necrosisSequelae of frostbite with tissue necrosis of neckFrostbite with tissue necrosis of thoraxfrostbite of thorax with tissue necrosisSequelae of frostbite with tissue necrosis of thoraxFrostbite with tissue necrosis of abdominal wall, lower back or pelvisSequelae of frostbite with tissue necrosis of abdominal wall, lower back and pelvisFrostbite of abdominal wall with tissue necrosisFrostbite of pelvis with tissue necrosisFrostbite with tissue necrosis of armfrostbite of upper limb with tissue necrosisSequelae of frostbite with tissue necrosis of armFrostbite with tissue necrosis of wrist or handSequelae of frostbite with tissue necrosis of wrist or handFrostbite of hand with tissue necrosisfrostbite with tissue necrosis of handFrostbite of fingers with tissue necrosisFrostbite of wrist with tissue necrosisfrostbite with tissue necrosis of wristFrostbite with tissue necrosis of hip or thighSequelae of frostbite with tissue necrosis of hip or thighFrostbite of hip with tissue necrosisFrostbite with tissue necrosis of knee or lower legSequelae of frostbite with tissue necrosis of knee or lower legFrostbite of knee with tissue necrosisFrostbite of lower leg with tissue necrosisFrostbite with tissue necrosis of ankle or footSequelae of frostbite with tissue necrosis of ankle or footFrostbite of ankle with tissue necrosisfrostbite with tissue necrosis of ankleFrostbite of foot with tissue necrosisfrostbite with tissue necrosis of footFrostbite of toes with tissue necrosisFrostbite with tissue necrosis of leg, not elsewhere classifiedfrostbite with tissue necrosis of lower limb NOSFrostbite with tissue necrosis of trunk, not elsewhere classifiedfrostbite with tissue necrosis of trunk NOS