Odontogenic necrotizing soft tissue infection of the scalp: A case report

Background: Necrotizing soft tissue infections are uncommon bacterial infections characterized by necrosis of fascia and subcutaneous tissue. While rarely occurring in the head and neck, they most often spread inferiorly when associated with an odontogenic infection. Methods: We present a rare case...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mohamed El-Rabbany, Jabir Alhumaid, Oscar Dalmao, Karl Cuddy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-09-01
Series:Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Cases
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214541920300195
Description
Summary:Background: Necrotizing soft tissue infections are uncommon bacterial infections characterized by necrosis of fascia and subcutaneous tissue. While rarely occurring in the head and neck, they most often spread inferiorly when associated with an odontogenic infection. Methods: We present a rare case of a sixty-one-year-old male patient who developed a craniocervicofacial necrotizing soft tissue infection of odontogenic origin with extension to the scalp. Managed initially at a community hospital with access to the scalp via an anterior mid-forehead incision, the patient was eventually managed by our team with multiple soft tissue debridements and antimicrobial therapy. Results: Aggressive surgical therapy and appropriate antimicrobial coverage resulted in resolution of the odontogenic necrotizing soft tissue infection of the scalp. Conclusions: Given the destructive nature of the condition, aggressive surgical and antimicrobial therapy are crucial to minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with necrotizing soft tissue infections.
ISSN:2214-5419