Potentially Fatal Necrotising Fasciitis of the Head and Neck: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
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P.K. Shenoy, MD, FRCS, DLO, FACS, ENT Service Chief, Campbellton Regional Hospital, Campbellton, NB, Canada.
K. Bali, MD, MS, Deputy Head, Ear Nose and Throat Department, Al Ain Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Abstract
A case of necrotising fasciitis of the neck originating from odontogenic infection is presented. Clinical features including pathogenesis and treatment are discussed along with a review of the literature.
Keywords: necrotising fasciitis, flesh eating bacterial disease, synergistic necrotizing cellulitis, killer bug disease, fasciitis necrotans, surgical débridement, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, multi-organ failure, toxic shock syndrome, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy (DIC), Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotising Fasciitis (LRINEC).
Necrotising fasciitis is a rare, potentially fatal, rapidly progressive infection of the soft tissue which spreads along the fascial planes causing tissue necrosis and gas in the superficial fascia. It was recorded in France in 1783 and first described in 1848. In 1918 the cause was identified as bacterial, and, in 1952 the disease was named as "necrotising fasciitis" by Dr. B. Wilson, It is also known as flesh eating bacterial disease, killer bug disease, synergistic necrotising cellulitis, and fasciitis necrotans. It is the fastest spreading disease known to man with a progression rate of up to 3 cm per hour.
