Noma in an unusual case of perforated appendicitis with pneumoperitoneum.
Noma is a very rare gangrenous infection of the oral cavity usually associated with debilitating diseases, immunosuppression, or malnutrition. Its development in a previously healthy 13-year-old boy with perforated appendicitis is presented. Streptococcus bovis type II and E coli were isolated from the noma and Streptococcus bovis, Bacteroides fragilis, and Bacteroides asacharolyticus from the peritoneal fluid. A transient impaired immune cellular function was found and may have contributed to the development of the noma in this child.
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
E
E
Katz
D
D
Engelhard
E
E
Kerem
A
A
Eid
Y
Y
Berlatzki
D000293:Adolescent; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D009625:Noma / Q000150:complications*; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology*; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous