title: The craniofacial necrotizing fasciitis after a minor trauma in an elderly white woman.
abstract: The term necrotizing fasciitis /NF/ was probably first described by Jones in 1871 as "hospital gangrene". NF, with its fast spreading from the local infection to massive necrosis of the underlying tissues, ie. superficial fascia and subcutaneous layers, is a potentially fatal disease, unless diagnosed early and properly treated. NF is more frequent in frail patients with chronic debilitating illnesses, immune deficiencies or from a poor social background. Sixty percent of NF cases occur in females. Here we present a case of necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck region after a minor trauma (phenol blocks due to severe neuropathic pain) in an 82-year-old female with the history of trigeminal neuralgia. Key words:Necrotizing fasciitis, craniofacial infection, tissue necrosis.
authors.affiliation: MD, PhD. Department of Palliative Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Modlinska
authors.affiliation: MD, PhD. Department of Palliative Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Osowicka
authors.affiliation: MD, PhD. Department of Palliative Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buss
authors.affiliation: MD, PhD. Department of Palliative Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lichodziejewska-Niemierko