[Necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck]

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a potentially lethal soft tissue infection characterized by cutaneous necrosis, suppurative fasciitis, vascular thrombosis and extreme systemic toxicity. It is a rare entity in the head and neck region, but occur most frequently in patients with diabetes and chronic alcoholism. Mostly involved are immunodeficient patients with banal infections of the upper aerodigestive tract, small traumas, but also after surgical procedures. Necrotizing fasciitis is an infection caused by aerobic or anaerobic microorganisms. A strong complication is a streptococcus-associated-toxic shock-syndrome which should be prevented because it is often associated with letal outcome. Septicemia and systemic toxic effects may lead to death within as short a time as 2 to 4 days. Necrotizing fasciitis is often misdiagnosed or the diagnosis is delayed with a mortality rate of approximately 30-70%. Once identified, treatment consists of antimicrobial therapy and surgical debridement followed at a later date with reconstructive surgery. We present a fatal case of craniofacial necrotizing fasciitis (NF) in a 63-year-old diabetic and chronic alcoholic man and discuss it's pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and the best therapeutic choice for this disease. A review of the literature with the clinical presentations, bacteriology diagnosis and treatment was presented.