title: Neglected peritonsillar abscess resulting in necrotizing soft tissue infection of the neck and chest wall.
abstract: Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) of the neck and chest wall resulting from neglected peritonsillar abscess is a relatively rare but highly lethal surgical condition which has received little attention in the literature. The case of a 54-year-old male patient affected by this unusual infection is reported. Our recent experience and literature data suggest that NSTI resulting from peritonsillar abscess is rapidly spreading and life threatening. High index of suspicion, early diagnosis, broad-spectrum antibiotics and aggressive surgical debridement are essential to its successful treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, MC 5026, Room J517, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, IL 60637, USA. jelosanoff@yahoo.com
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Losanoff
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Missavage
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003646:Debridement; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D035441:Thoracic Wall; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010406:Penicillins; D002981:Clindamycin