Pedro Tapia Contreras; Gustavo Matus-Miranda; Jessica Zeballos Cofré; Melissa Carvajal Guzmán; Florencia Jollán Peña & Sofía Díaz Abarza
Summary
Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare, rapidly progressing, and severe infection of subcutaneous tissues and muscle fascia that can be fatal. It causes rapid tissue necrosis through pathogen-induced vasoconstriction and thrombosis. While commonly found in the torso, abdomen, and limbs, it rarely affects the head and neck. Effective treatment includes early diagnosis, surgery, antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, though mortality remains high. A 40-yearold man with a history of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) presented with increased volume, erythema, and cramps in the cervical and upper thoracic area. The main diagnosis was NF, requiring surgical debridement of the affected tissue. Despite therapeutic efforts, the patient succumbed to sepsis and multiple organ failure. NF is a life-threatening infection with a very low incidence but a high mortality rate. Cervical NF often arises from odontogenic infections and is associated with systemic factors like diabetes and obesity. Early diagnosis is challenging, but Computed tomography (CT) and the Laboratory risk indicator score for necrotizing fasciitis (LRINEC) score are essential. Effective treatment includes surgical debridement, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. NF remains a critical condition with high mortality, underscoring the need for early recognition and aggressive treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.
KEY WORDS: case report, fasciitis, necrotizing, soft tissue infections, head, neck.
How to cite this article
TAPIA, C. P.; MATUS-MIRANDA, G.; ZEBALLOS, C. J.; CARVAJAL, G. M.; JOLLÁN, P. F. & DÍAZ, A. S. Management of cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis of peritonsillar origin: A case report. Int. J. Odontostomat., 19(1):28-33, 2025.