title: Necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck: review of the literature and report of a case.
abstract: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly spreading, life-threatening, bacterial disease. Mortality rates have been estimated to vary between 8.7% and 74%. Mortality depends on many factors, one of which is early recognition. Necrotizing fasciitis of dental origin has a low prevalence and as such presents diagnostic challenges for the dentist. The literature is reviewed, and a case history is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78284, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: R O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Crichton
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000175:diagnosis; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D009333:Neck; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis