Cauchy Frostbite Classification
Cauchy frostbite classification (Cauchy 2001): grades day-of-injury frostbite 1–4 from lesion topography, the day-2 bone-scan uptake, and blister character, predicting amputation risk and sequelae.
Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.
Example
- Lesion topography at day 0
- Distal phalanx
- Bone-scan uptake
- Absent uptake in the carpal / tarsal area
Result: Cauchy grade 4 (set by bone scan): bone amputation of the limb, functional sequelae.
The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.
What the result means
- Grades 1-2
- grade 1 (no lesion) -- no amputation, no sequela; grade 2 (distal phalanx, clear blisters) -- soft-tissue (nail) amputation.
- Grades 3-4
- grade 3 (intermediate-proximal phalanx, hemorrhagic blisters, absent digit uptake) -- bone amputation of the digit; grade 4 (carpal-tarsal) -- bone amputation of the limb. Functional sequelae.
What you enter
- Lesion topography at day 0
- Bone-scan uptake (day 2)
- Blister character
How this is calculated
Cauchy E, Chetaille E, Marchand V, Marsigny B. Retrospective study of 70 cases of severe frostbite lesions: a proposed new classification scheme. Wilderness Environ Med. 2001;12(4):248-255. Read the source ↗
A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.