Master Necrosis Types with Picmonic for Medicine

The liquefactive necrosis type can be found in brain infarcts and bacterial abscesses. This necrosis is characterized by the digestion of the tissue by lysosomal enzymes produced by neutrophils. It is a type of necrosis that transforms the softening necrotic tissue into a pastelike mush, a liquid, viscous mass, or watery debris. Early histologic findings will show macrophages and cellular debris, and late findings will show cystic spaces and cavitation in CNS.

Brain infarcts seen in stroke patients are characterized by a focal blockage of blood supply to the brain. Necrosis can occur, showing loss of neurons and neuroglial cells.

The caseous necrosis type can be found in tuberculosis, systemic fungal infections (e.g., Histoplasma capsulatum), and Nocardia. Caseous necrosis is characterized by a cheese-like appearance that occurs from the necrosis tissue's friable white appearance. Macrophages digest cells, but not all cells, causing granular debris. Granuloma will be seen as a collection of debris and fragmented cells surrounded by macrophages and lymphocytes. This type of necrosis is a combination of coagulative and liquefactive necrosis.

Tuberculosis is the most common cause of caseous necrosis and presents with granuloma in the lungs.

The fat necrosis type can be found in acute pancreatitis and trauma. This necrosis is characterized by a chalky-white appearance due to the deposition of calcium from a process called saponification. Histologic findings will show necrotic adipose tissue without peripheral nuclei, and saponification appears dark blue on the H&E stain.

Saponification in acute pancreatitis occurs due to the binding of calcium and lipase. Lipase is produced from damaged pancreatic cells. Acute pancreatitis is categorized as enzymatic fat necrosis.

Saponification in trauma occurs due to the binding of calcium and fatty acids. Fatty acids are released from damaged cells, such as injury to breast tissue. Trauma-induced necrosis is categorized as non-enzymatic fat necrosis.

The fibrinoid necrosis type can be found in PAN, hypertensive emergency, and preeclampsia. It occurs due to necrotic damage to the blood vessel walls causing plasma protein leakage in combination with immune complex deposition (type III hypersensitivity reaction). These will result in bright pink staining from the eosinophilic layer of the wall microscopically.

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) shows an immune-vascular reaction with fibrinoid necrosis. It is a hallmark lesion of this disorder.

Hypertensive emergency and preeclampsia can cause non-immune vascular reaction fibrinoid necrosis.

The gangrenous necrosis type can be found in the lower extremities and GIT after chronic ischemia. There are two types of gangrenous necrosis: dry, caused by ischemia, and wet, caused by superinfection. Dry gangrene is characterized by coagulative necrosis that resembles mummified tissue. Wet gangrene is characterized by liquefaction necrosis superimposed on coagulation.

Blood supply lost in the lower extremities causes gangrenous necrosis. An example of this is an extensive arterial thrombosis on sepsis-induced DIC.