Synergistic necrotizing cellulitis as a complication of peritonsillar abscess

Peritonsillar abscess, a complication of tonsillitis, is not uncommon. The usual treatment consists of needle aspiration or surgical drainage and anti biotic treatment. Tonsillectomy may be used in the management of this condi tion, either at the time of diagnosis or after an interval period. Severe c omplications of peritonsillar abscess are rare. Synergistic necrotizing cel lulitis is a fulminant infection associated with spread along fascial plain s, necrosis of connective tissue and muscle, and high mortality. It is usua lly otondogenic in origin in the cervicofacial area and occurs in debilitat ed or immune compromised patients. We discuss cervicofacial-necrotizing sof t tissue disease and report an unusual case of extensive synergistic necrot izing cellulitis of the neck, chest, and shoulder as a result of a peritons illar abscess. Copyright (C) 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.