title: Synergistic necrotizing cellulitis as a complication of peritonsillar abscess.
abstract: Peritonsillar abscess, a complication of tonsillitis, is not uncommon. The usual treatment consists of needle aspiration or surgical drainage and antibiotic treatment. Tonsillectomy may be used in the management of this condition, either at the time of diagnosis or after an interval period. Severe complications of peritonsillar abscess are rare. Synergistic necrotizing cellulitis is a fulminant infection associated with spread along fascial plains, necrosis of connective tissue and muscle, and high mortality. It is usually otondogenic in origin in the cervicofacial area and occurs in debilitated or immune compromised patients. We discuss cervicofacial-necrotizing soft tissue disease and report an unusual case of extensive synergistic necrotizing cellulitis of the neck, chest, and shoulder as a result of a peritonsillar abscess.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldenberg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Golz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Netzer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Flax-Goldenberg
authors.forename: H Z
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Joachims
mesh_terms: D002481:Cellulitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media