[A fatal case of necrotizing fasciitis of the neck]

Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but life-threatening soft-tissue infection primarily involving the superficial fascia and subcutaneous tissue. Only early diagnosis and aggressive therapy including broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgical intervention can avoid systemic toxicity associated with a high mortality rate. Necrotizing fasciitis is rarely seen in the head and neck region. In this article, we report a fatal case of necrotizing fasciitis in the neck of 75-years-old female patient and reviewed the microbiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this rare infection together with literature data.