title: Cervical necrotizing fasciitis: case series and review of literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cervical necrotizing fasciitis is a fatal and rapid multi- bacteria infection causing extensive necrosis of the subcutaneous tissues and fascial planes with resultant skin gangrene and associated systemic manifestation. The aim of the present study is to report four cases of cervical necrotizing fascitis highlighting their source.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case notes of the patients were retrieved and reviewed, literature search was done using Medline, journals available and various texts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most often the cause of cervical necrotizing fascitis is of dental origin. The diagnosis depends mainly on clinical features and a high index of suspicion because the clinical features maybe innocuous at the early stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite aggressive management with liberal wound debridement, intravenous antibiotics, and nutritional support, the mortality was still high due to late presentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery (ENT Unit), Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. agidadoga@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Adoga
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Otene
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yiltok
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adekwu
authors.forename: O G B
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Nwaorgu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003646:Debridement; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D018529:Nutritional Support; D012307:Risk Factors