TY  - JOUR
T1  - Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Head and Neck in Adults: Clinical Features, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Strategies
A1  - Yousef Al-Qahtani
A1  - Fahad Al-Salem
A1  - Abdullah Al-Harbi
JF  - Journal of Current Research in Oral Surgery
JO  - J Curr Res Oral Surg
SN  - 3062-3480
Y1  - 2026
VL  - 6
IS  - 1
DO  - 10.51847/ji1pyuUeIi
SP  - 128
EP  - 142
N2  - Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a critical, life-endangering infection of the soft tissues that targets the deep fascia and subcutaneous layers. Its hallmark is fulminant progression and a high fatality rate. NF in the head and neck region is extremely rare, and dental sources account for the majority of cases. This paper aims to provide an exhaustive review of the principal characteristics of cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) in adults, supplementing the literature with our own clinical insights into its treatment. The most frequently harvested pathogens are Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. Patient outcomes become exceedingly bleak if the infection descends and establishes mediastinitis. Given that early signs can mimic a standard, non-necrotizing deep cervical infection, maintaining keen clinical alertness is vital for prompt detection. Computed tomography imaging is indispensable for confirming the diagnosis, mapping the spread of the disease/eliminating the possibility of descending mediastinitis. Immediate and extensive surgical removal of all nonviable tissue, alongside intravenous antibiotics and aggressive fluid replacement, are non-negotiable pillars of care that must commence without delay for culture reports. Even with swift and optimal treatment, the associated mortality of CNF is known to reach rates as steep as 35%.
UR  - https://tsdp.net/article/necrotizing-fasciitis-of-the-head-and-neck-in-adults-clinical-features-diagnosis-and-therapeutic-d3s88k0jswvyetf
ER  -