Craniocervical necrotizing fasciitis of odontogenic origin with mediastinal extension

Ear Nose Throat J. 2004 Aug;83(8):579-82.

Abstract

We review an interesting case of craniocervical necrotizing fasciitis with thoracic extension in an immunocompetent 44-year-old man. The patient underwent aggressive medical and surgical management during a long hospitalization. Multiple surgical debridements, including transcervical mediastinal debridement, and eventually a thoracotomy for mediastinal abscess were required. The patient eventually recovered, and 3 months later he showed no sign of complications or recurrence. Craniocervical necrotizing fasciitis is a fulminant soft-tissue infection, usually of odontogenic origin, that requires prompt identification and treatment to ensure survival. Broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, aggressive surgical debridement and wound care, hyperbaric oxygen, and good intensive care are the mainstays of treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / drug therapy
  • Abscess / etiology*
  • Abscess / surgery
  • Adult
  • Debridement / methods*
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / drug therapy
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / etiology*
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / surgery
  • Head / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Mediastinal Diseases / etiology*
  • Mediastinal Diseases / surgery
  • Mediastinum / pathology
  • Mediastinum / surgery
  • Neck / surgery
  • Periodontal Abscess / complications*
  • Periodontal Abscess / drug therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Streptococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed