title: Necrotizing fasciitis of the ear: an unusual case.
abstract: We describe a rare case of necrotizing fasciitis of the ear in an otherwise generally healthy 39-year-old man. The ear is rarely involved in this often-fatal disease. The diagnosis was suspected on the basis of clinical examination and confirmed by computed tomography and pathology of a biopsy specimen, which revealed subcutaneous gas formation and dermal infiltration of inflammatory cells, respectively. The patient was promptly treated with surgical debridement, intravenous antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen. He recovered well and subsequently underwent otoplastic reconstruction with very satisfactory results. By documenting this case, we aim to heighten awareness of necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck in an effort to improve survival rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Rutledge Ave., Suite 1130, Charleston, SC 29425. gullung@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gullung
authors.forename: Jacob E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: April D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Hendryx
authors.forename: Krishna G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents