Craniocervical necrotizing fasciitis: an 11-year experience.
OBJECTIVE
We review our experience and present our approach to treating craniocervical necrotizing fasciitis (CCNF).


METHODS
All cases of CCNF treated at Wayne State University/Detroit Receiving Hospital from January 1989 to April 2000 were reviewed. Patients were analyzed for source and extent of infection, microbiology, co-morbidities, antimicrobial therapy, hospital days, surgical interventions, complications, and outcomes.


RESULTS
A review of 250 charts identified 10 cases that met the study criteria. Five cases (50%) had spread of infection into the thorax, with only 1 (10%) fatality. An average of 24 hospital days (7 to 45), 14 ICU days (6 to 21), and 3 surgical procedures (1 to 6) per patient was required.


CONCLUSIONS
Aggressive wound care, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and multiple surgical interventions resulted in a 90% (9/10) overall survival and 80% (4/5) survival for those with thoracic extension.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the largest single institution report of CCNF with thoracic extension identified to date.
Bahu
S J
SJ
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Shibuya
T Y
TY
Meleca
R J
RJ
Mathog
R H
RH
Yoo
G H
GH
Stachler
R J
RJ
Tyburski
J G
JG
D000328:Adult; D003646:Debridement; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D014945:Wound Healing