MANAGEMENT OF NECROTIZING FASCIITIS IN THE NECK

Necrotizing fasciitis is a soft tissue infection, usually polymicrobia l, characterized by necrosis of fascia and subcutaneous tissue, Althou gh it more commonly involves the groin, abdomen and extremities, it ma y also occur in the head and neck. We report a case of cervical necrot izing fasciitis arising from a dental infection and review the cause, pathophsiology, diagnosis and treatment of this potentially lethal ent ity. Early detection and accurate intervention are emphasized. Extensi ve surgical debridement completed with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and a ntibiotics are the mainstay of treatment.