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Periorbital necrotising fasciitis following cutaneous herpes zoster

Victoria Fung1, Yosanta Rajapakse, Paolo Longhi

  • 1Department of Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of North Durham, North Road, Durham DH1 5TW, UK. vf@doctors.org.uk

Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery : JPRAS
|July 27, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare, severe soft tissue infection. This case highlights bilateral periorbital necrotising fasciitis, a rare complication following shingles in an immunocompetent patient.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious diseases
  • Ophthalmology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Necrotising fasciitis is a severe, rapidly progressing soft tissue infection with high mortality.
  • Head and neck involvement is uncommon, with periorbital necrotising fasciitis being exceedingly rare.
  • Shingles (herpes zoster) can precede severe soft tissue infections.

Observation:

  • A case of bilateral periorbital necrotising fasciitis is presented.
  • The patient was otherwise healthy and immunocompetent.
  • The infection developed following an episode of shingles.

Findings:

  • Bilateral periorbital necrotising fasciitis can occur in immunocompetent individuals post-shingles.
  • Early recognition and prompt management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
  • This presentation underscores the potential severity of complications following herpes zoster.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering necrotising fasciitis in periorbital infections, especially after shingles.
  • Emphasizes the need for vigilance in diagnosing rare complications of common viral infections.
  • Contributes to understanding the spectrum of necrotising fasciitis and its potential triggers.

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