Related Experiment Videos

[A fatal case of necrotizing fasciitis of the neck]

Ustün Osma1, Hülya Eyigör, Mustafa Deniz Yılmaz

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey. uosma@hotmail.com

Kulak Burun Bogaz Ihtisas Dergisi : KBB = Journal of Ear, Nose, and Throat
|October 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Necrotizing fasciitis, a severe soft-tissue infection, rarely affects the head and neck. This case highlights the critical need for rapid diagnosis and aggressive treatment to prevent fatal outcomes from this aggressive infection.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Surgical Pathology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening soft-tissue infection.
  • It primarily affects superficial fascia and subcutaneous tissue, demanding prompt diagnosis and intervention.
  • While rare, head and neck involvement presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Observation:

  • This report details a fatal case of necrotizing fasciitis in a 75-year-old female patient affecting the neck region.
  • The case underscores the potential severity and rapid progression of this infection in the head and neck.
  • Clinical presentation and diagnostic challenges in this specific anatomical location are highlighted.

Findings:

  • Early diagnosis and aggressive management, including broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgical debridement, are crucial for survival.
  • Microbiology, diagnostic modalities, and treatment strategies for head and neck necrotizing fasciitis were reviewed.
  • The case and literature review emphasize the high mortality rate associated with delayed or inadequate treatment.

Implications:

  • This case emphasizes the importance of heightened clinical suspicion for necrotizing fasciitis in head and neck presentations.
  • Aggressive and timely multidisciplinary management is essential to improve patient outcomes.
  • Further research into specific risk factors and optimal treatment protocols for head and neck necrotizing fasciitis is warranted.

Related Concept Videos

Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis01:16

Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis

Necrosis is a form of irreversible cell death caused by severe injury such as ischemia, toxins, or trauma. Unlike programmed cell death, it is an uncontrolled, pathological process that typically provokes inflammation in surrounding tissues.Pathophysiologic ChangesNecrosis begins when cells sustain critical damage, leading to swelling of organelles, particularly mitochondria, and rapid ATP depletion. As energy levels decline, membrane ion pumps fail, leading to calcium influx and eventually,...
Muscles of the Anterior Neck01:26

Muscles of the Anterior Neck

The anterior neck muscles are the group of muscles covering the front part of the neck. These muscles are classified into three subgroups. The first one is the superficial muscles, the most visible muscles in the front of the neck. It includes the platysma and sternocleidomastoid. The second group is the suprahyoid muscles, located above the hyoid bone. This group comprises the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid. Lastly, the infrahyoid muscles are found below the hyoid bone and...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Veins of Head and Neck01:19

Veins of Head and Neck

The blood drainage from the head and neck is primarily managed by three pairs of veins: the external jugular, internal jugular, and vertebral veins. The external jugular veins drain superficial scalp and face structures, passing over the sternocleidomastoid muscles to empty into the subclavian veins.
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
Botulism01:22

Botulism

Botulism is a life-threatening neuroparalytic condition caused by botulinum neurotoxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, a Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobe.In adults, the toxin enters the body in different ways: in foodborne botulism, the preformed toxin is absorbed in the intestine. In wound botulism, spores grow in injured tissue and release the toxin into the blood. Infant botulism differs mechanistically from adult forms. In infants, botulism commonly...
Necrosis01:16

Necrosis

Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...