[Cervical necrotising fasciitis--report of two cases and review of the literature].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the causes, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of cervical extensive necrotizing fasciitis, a rare clinical occurrence, and to improve the clinical recognition and appreciation of it.

METHOD: Two cases of cervical extensive necrotizing fasciitis were studied and relevant literatures were reviewed. The causes, clinical manifestation, experience of diagnosis and treatment were summarized.

RESULT: One of two cases was secondary to foreign body of hypopharynx, and the other with unknown cause. Apathy, crepitation and diffuse swelling and rubor following with abscess formation on the neck are main characteristics. Mixed synergistic infection was confirmed by drainage culturing. All two cases were treated actively by large dosage and effective broad spectrum antibiotics, and sustaining therapy and surgical treatment, including local incision and drainage, aggressive surgical debridement and tracheotomy.

CONCLUSION

Cervical extensive necrotizing fasciitis is a potentially life-threatening soft tissue infection. The keys of successful treatment were early diagnosis and surgical intervention. Rational antibiotics application and systemic supporting therapeutics were also recommended.