Odontogenic origin of necrotizing fasciitis of head and neck - a case report.

UNLABELLED: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) of head and neck is a fulminant infection associated with necrosis of connective tissue which spreads along the fascial planes with high mortality rate. It is usually polymicrobial, odontogenic and occurs more frequently in immunocompromised patients. Because of the rarity of the disease, early diagnosis and early management is often delayed. We present a diabetic patient who developed NF of head and neck following tooth extraction. Because of vigorous teamwork he could be saved from the fatal disease but required extensive plastic repair. Every clinician should be aware of such a disease, particularly in immunocompromised patients and necessitates earliest diagnosis and intervention to save their life.

KEYWORDS: Necrotizing fasciitis, necrotizing soft tissue infections.