A Case of Cervical Necrotizing Fasciitis

ABSTRACT

Necrotizing fasciitis is a relatively rare disease which mainly affects the extremities, inguinal area, and the trunk area, and it is by definition a severe acute bacterial infection which affects the fascia. One can misdiagnose the disease as simple cellulitis, thereby delaying an appropriate treatment, and the disease can rapidly spread through the fascia, causing complication such as sepsis, leaving severe loss of tissue as a sequelae. Necrotizing fasciitis of the cervical area is even a rarer disease. Once a person contracts, the disorder can spread through superficial musculoaponeurotic system and cervical fascia, quickly infecting important vascular systems and mediastinum of the craniocervical and thoracic area, which cause a serious complication from direct spread unto main organs. Therefore, in case of necrotizing fasciitis of the cervical area, active surgical treatment such as wide excision of necrotizing tissue and proper drainage of abscess and early administration of broad range antibiotics are necessary in order to prevent serious complications in main vascular system, mediastinum, or craniocervical system. We have experienced a case of necrotizing fasciitis of the cervical region in 2002, and obtained satisfactory results from wide excision, abscess drainage, local flap with skin graft, and hereby report the case with references.