title: [Cervical necrotizing fasciitis].
abstract: Necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck is a rare infection caused by a mixed bacterial flora with anaerobic predominance. Mortality is due to misdiagnosis which results in late and inadequate treatment. The natural course of this serious infection involves spreading necrosis of the soft tissues of the neck with erosion of major blood vessels. A 33-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman are presented to demonstrate the usual etiological factors of cervical necrotizing fasciitis, mainly dental and pharyngeal infections. Diagnosis is by bacteriological culture and CT-scan; a high degree of clinical suspicion is necessary. Treatment included aggressive surgery, appropriate antibiotic coverage and hyperbaric oxygen, and resulted in successful outcomes in our 2 cases.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dept., Rambam Medical Center, Haifa.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peled
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Laufer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck; D009336:Necrosis; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents