Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2025

Identifier

DOI: 10.1177/01455613221139404

Abstract

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) is a rare infection that can quickly lead to devastating patient outcomes. Considering the vital importance of surrounding neck structures, rapid control of the infection is essential. Infection is most frequently polymicrobial and occurs in the adult patient in the context of certain medical comorbidities. Complications are typically limited to tissue destruction in the form of necrosis. There are no current reports describing CNF complicated by acute shock in the post-operative pediatric patient. Here, we present a pediatric case of CNF complicated by acute shock following Sistrunk procedure for removal of a supposed thyroglossal duct cyst. This case illustrates a potential post-operative complication that can be seen within the pediatric patient. Although most reported examples of CNF are polymicrobial and result from odontogenic infection, providers should be aware of other potential sources of disease. It is important for the pediatric surgeon to rapidly identify CNF and consequent shock, as prompt medical and surgical interventions are critical to offering the best chance of patient survival.

Journal Title

Ear, nose, & throat journal

Volume

104

Issue

1_suppl

First Page

267

Last Page

270

MeSH Keywords

Humans; Fasciitis, Necrotizing; Neck; Postoperative Complications; Shock; Male; Female

PubMed ID

36356106

Keywords

cervical necrotizing fasciitis; otolaryngology; pediatric; toxic shock

Comments

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).

Publisher's Link: https://doi.org/10.1177/01455613221139404

Included in

Pediatrics Commons

Share

COinS