Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Cheek: A Case Report

The term necrotizing fasciitis (NF) was first used by Wilson in 1952, who described this rare, however, progressive infection that primarily affects the fascia and subcutaneous tissues. Necrotizing fasciitis may affect any part of the body; however, it usually appears on the extremities. The most common microorganisms isolated in NF are Staphylococcus aureus, group A Streptococci, and Escherichia Coli. We are presenting the case of a sixty-seven-year old woman, who was admitted for the perforation of painful edema of the left cheek. Clinical examination of the anterior two-thirds of the left cheek revealed a defect of the full thickness of the skin, 3x4 cm in size. During the patient's hospitalization she was treated by parenterally administered broad-spectrum antibiotics, necrotomy, fasciotomy of the cheek and the extraction of the remaining roots in the 3rd and 4th quadrant. Necrotic fasciitis is a rare, rapidly progressive infection of soft tissues, which, if untimely diagnosed and treated, may be life-threatening. The prognosis of treatment depends on the early recognition of the disease. It is treated with aggressive surgical debridement followed by antibiotic therapy.