title: Cervical necrotizing fasciitis: report of 6 cases and review of literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Necrotizing fasciitis in the cervical region is a rare entity, characterized by a fulminant infection that causes extensive necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue and fascial planes, with high mortality and morbidity rates. The origin is generally odontogenic or pharyngeal, involving a mixed flora of microorganisms. Descending infection and mediastinal involvement are usually associated and are the main complications. The aim of the present study was to review the cases treated in our department and analyze diagnosis and treatment, supplementing the understanding of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was performed on the clinical records of patients admitted to our center between January 2005 and June 2010 with diagnosis of necrotizing cervical fasciitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six clinical records were reviewed. The origin of the infection was mainly oropharyngeal and odontogenic, with a mixed flora of Prevotella, Peptostreptococcus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. All patients presented mediastinal involvement: superior mediastinitis in 4 patients and superior and postero-inferior mediastinitis in 2 cases. All patients underwent early drainage by bilateral cervicotomy with mediastinal drainage by a cervical approach in those with superior mediastinal affection, and associated thoracotomy, in a single surgical step, for postero-inferior mediastinitis. Temporary tracheotomy was performed in all cases. All received broad spectrum antibiotics, with a medium hospital stay of 37 days. There were no deaths reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Concerning cervical necrotizing fasciitis, early diagnosis and surgical treatment associated to antibiotics and intensive medical care are essential to obtain a favorable outcome.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Feixa Llarga s/n, Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: paulitacruz@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cruz Toro
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Feixa Llarga s/n, Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: À
authors.initials: À
authors.lastname: Callejo Castillo
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Feixa Llarga s/n, Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tornero Saltó
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Feixa Llarga s/n, Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: González Compta
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Feixa Llarga s/n, Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farré
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Feixa Llarga s/n, Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maños
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016866:Bacteroidaceae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D004322:Drainage; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010462:Peptostreptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D018720:Prevotella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014140:Tracheotomy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Cervical necrotizing fasciitis; Mediastinitis