Cervical Necrotizing Fasciitis of Odontogenic Origin in a Diabetic Patient Complicated by Substance Abuse

Abstracts

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) is an uncommon, potentially fatal soft tissue infection with rapid progression characterized by necrosis in the subcutaneous tissue and fascia. A case of CNF of odontogenic origin in a diabetic patient, complicated by alcohol dependence and tobacco abuse, is presented with a literature review. The emergency procedure comprised hydration, colloid administration, glycemic control and broad spectrum antibiotic therapy, followed by aggressive surgical debridement. Necrosis in the platysma muscle was verified by histopathologic analysis. Reconstructive surgery was performed after suppressing the infection, and the wound was closed with an autologous skin graft. The patient had a long hospital stay, in part because the substance abuse led to a difficult recovery. The principles of early diagnosis, aggressive surgical debridement, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and intensive supportive care in the treatment of CNF were confirmed in the present case. It was concluded that given the occurrence of CNF in the presence of diabetes mellitus and abuse of substances such as alcohol and tobacco, the health care professional should consider a stronger response to treatment and longer hospitalization.

necrotizing fasciitis, bacterial infections; debridement; substance-related disorders

A fasceíte necrotizante cervical (FNC) é uma infecção rara de tecidos moles, potencialmente fatal, caracterizada por necrose no tecido subcutâneo e fascia com progressão rápida. Um caso de FNC de origem odontogênica em um paciente diabético, complicado por dependência alcoólica e abuso de tabaco, é relatado junto a uma revisão da literatura. O procedimento de emergência compreendeu hidratação, administração de colóide, controle glicêmico e antibioticoterapia de amplo espectro, seguido de debridamento cirúrgico agressivo. Necrose no músculo platisma foi verificada por análise histopatológica. Cirurgia reconstrutiva foi feita após resolução da infecção e a ferida foi fechada com enxerto dérmico autógeno. O paciente teve um longo período de internação hospitalar, em parte devido ao abuso de substâncias, o que levou a uma recuperação difícil. Os princípios de diagnóstico imediato, debridamento cirúrgico agressivo, antibioticoterapia de amplo espectro e cuidados em terapia intensiva no tratamento da FNC foram confirmados no presente caso. Foi concluído que diante da ocorrência de FNC na presença de diabetes mellitus e de abuso de substâncias como álcool e tabaco, o profissional assistente deve considerar uma resposta mais difícil ao tratamento e maior tempo de internação.

Introduction

Necrotizing fasciitis is a soft tissue infection with potential to be fatal, characterized by excessive necrosis and gas formation in the subcutaneous tissue and fascia (¹,²). It is uncommon in the head and neck and most cases are odontogenic or pharyngeal in origin (²). This infection spreads along the fascial planes with rapid progression and systemic toxicity (³). The ability to move rapidly is secondary to its polymicrobial origin and the synergistic effect of the bacterial enzymes (⁴). Myonecrosis and mottling of the skin may occur due to thrombosis of the feeding vessels (¹). Involvement of the underlying bone has been reported (⁵). An underlying systemic illness may predispose or be an aggravating factor in patients suffering from necrotizing fasciitis (⁶).

The clinical manifestations of cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) are nonspecific but are often typical for diagnosis (⁷). Patients are febrile, tachycardic and dehydrated; the overlying skin is generally erythematous and tense (¹,⁴). The management principles include fast identification of the necrotic tissue and its radical surgical debridement as there is a potentially high morbidity, combined with high-dose antimicrobial therapy (⁶,⁸).

A case of CNF of odontogenic origin in a diabetic patient, complicated by alcohol dependence and tobacco abuse is presented.

Case Report

A 65-year-old man was referred to the emergency department by the rescue medical service with an extensive toxic cellulitis of odontogenic origin and a provisional diagnosis of Ludwig's angina. He reported that he had complained to his dentist of a toothache in the lower right posterior region three days before and had been medicated with oral amoxicillin, but he observed progressive worsening. His medical history revealed uncompensated diabetes mellitus, alcohol dependency and heavy smoking. The patient signed an informed consent form authorizing publication of this clinical report.

On examination he appeared generally ill and there was a diffuse, bilateral, consistent swelling with signs of inflammation in the submandibular and cervical region. Some areas of edematous erythema and vesicles were observed (Fig. 1A). Additional observations included tongue elevation, mandibular trismus, hyperthermia (39.8 °C), respiratory distress (RF 15/min) with an oxygen saturation of 92%, a heart rate of 90 bpm, blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg and, in some moments, a decreased level of consciousness. The patient was admitted to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Figure 1.
A: Consistent, diffuse, erythematous and vesicular swelling in the submandibular and cervical regions. B and C: CT images showing air collections in the submandibular and cervical regions.

Initial laboratory data revealed leukocytosis (22,400/µL) with a left shift, increased serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (0.8 mg/dL) and hyperglycemia (350 mg/dL). The remaining investigations were within normal limits. Computed tomography (CT) showed the extent of the process, demonstrating the presence of secretions in the submandibular, sublingual and submental spaces in addition to gas-formation in the deeper cervical spaces including the retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal spaces, with infiltration of the platysma and sternocleidomastoid muscles (Fig. 1B, C).

The emergency treatment consisted of intravenous hydration and colloid (albumin) administration, glycemic control (Dextro) and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. Crystalline penicillin G, metronidazole and amikacin sulfate were administered. Dexamethasone was used to control the swelling and tramadol hydrochloride was used for pain control. To normalize the hyperglycemia insulin was administered and the patient was fed a balanced diet through a nasogastric tube.

The patient was taken to the operating room and, under general anesthesia and orotracheal intubation; he underwent extensive incision and drainage of the swelling with CT assistance, liberation of pus, and excision of the part of platysma muscle which appeared necrotic. Secretions were collected for culture and sensitivity testing. The mandibular right first and second molars' roots were extracted. Subsequently, significant and wide debridement of all necrotic tissues of the submandibular and anterior cervical areas was performed, and all spaces were irrigated with an antiseptic solution (Fig. 2A). The wound was packed with dressings soaked in a topical preparation of chloramphenicol every 8 hours. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Figure 2.
A: Broad surgical debridement in the affected regions. B: Postoperative aspect of the recipient area of the skin graft. C: Complete recovery of the affected area after one year.

Culture identified Staphylococcus spp with penicillin resistance and anaerobic Peptococcus sp. A histopathologic analysis confirmed necrosis of the platysma muscle. The infectious disease service was consulted. Ampicillin, sulbactam and ciprofloxacin were prescribed, and metronidazole was continued. The patient remained in the ICU for 45 days. Systemic improvement and formation of granulation tissue in the wound were observed.

Reconstructive surgery was performed 15 days after ceasing the infection. The wound was closed with a skin graft taken from the right thigh (Fig. 2B). The patient recovered and was discharged from the hospital 90 days after admission. Complete healing of the cervical and submandibular regions was obtained. After one year, the patient presented no esthetic or functional restrictions (Fig. 2C).

Discussion

A case of CNF secondary to an odontogenic infection that had compromised the prognosis due to uncompensated diabetes mellitus, associated with alcohol dependence and tobacco abuse is reported. The emergency procedure comprised hydration, colloid administration, glycemic control and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, followed by aggressive surgical debridement, emphasizing the principles of conduct in this entity (⁴,⁸,⁹). Necrotizing fasciitis often results in the sequestration of fluid which may lead to septic shock (⁶). Thus, the patient was admitted to the ICU for monitoring, wound checks, antibiotic therapy, fluid status monitoring and hemodynamic assessment (³,⁶).

Odontogenic infections usually originate from pulpal necrosis with bacterial invasion of the periapical tissue, producing the formation of purulent collections. Such infections are usually mild and easily treated with antibiotics but their complications are around 12.5% of cases (¹⁰). These processes still represent an important cause of morbidity in the population and their complications demand careful monitoring for prevention and application of appropriate management (¹¹,¹²). Given the nonspecific nature of primary odontogenic infections, different combinations of virulence factors will cause different diseases in subjects. Knowledge of the main factors involved in the pathogenesis of apical periodontitis may help establish proper therapeutic measures to inactivate this bacterial attack (¹³).

Insulin-dependent diabetes is the most common predisposing systemic condition for CNF, observed in 18% to 72.3% of cases (¹,⁶,⁷). Chronic hyperglycemia impairs leukocyte function leading to suppression of the immune system and susceptibility to exacerbation of an odontogenic infection (³,⁴). Additionally, alcoholism, tobacco abuse and CNF are also associated. However, this may be due to either a direct effect of these substances or the malnutrition and poor health status that is often observed in these patients (³). Alcohol abuse has also been associated with CNF and is observed in 22% to 45% of cases (¹,⁴,⁷). Alcoholism alone or associated with malnutrition increases the risk of CNF (⁴).

A history of pain for less than one week with the rapid exacerbation of symptoms is typical in cases of CNF (⁴,⁸). Mandibular molars are frequently the source of odontogenic infections prior to CNF development (¹). The initial laboratory data revealed leukocytosis and increased C-reactive protein. Similar findings have been reported in a CNF series (¹). Patients with CNF are febrile, with erythema and edema, hyperesthesia, mottled skin and sepsis (⁴,⁸). Recognizing a necrotizing soft tissue infection may be difficult. A simple subcutaneous abscess has a central necrotic portion, whereas necrotizing soft tissue infections are poorly localized, with signs of inflammation and necrosis extending deep to normal-appearing skin. Systemic findings are therefore of great help in its identification (⁶,⁷). CT demonstrated the presence of secretions in the submandibular, sublingual and submental spaces as well as in deeper cervical spaces, with infiltration of the cervical region, and gas-formation. There is no consensus on the requirement of CT, although it provides a major contribution in the early diagnosis of CNF (¹,⁴).

The antimicrobial agents initially used were targeted toward the most frequently encountered microorganisms in an infection of odontogenic origin. The antibiotic regimen should be modified according to culture and sensitivity results (¹,¹⁴). Additionally, a consultation with the infectious disease service is required (⁶). Prompt surgical intervention is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality rates associated with CNF (⁴,⁸). Surgical debridement is considered a cornerstone of its treatment (⁷,⁸), and its extent is determined by the gross findings (⁶). In this case, necrosis of the platysma muscle was histopathologically verified, which is considered the most accurate test for identification of this disease (⁸). Reconstruction is typically initiated when the patient has been stable for a number of days (⁶). Complete healing of the affected regions was obtained, and the patient presented without esthetic or functional restrictions at the end of treatment. The patient had a long hospital stay, in part because the associated alcohol abuse and smoking lead to a difficult recovery. A review of reported cases identified mean hospital stays between 24 and 42 days, with most days spent in the ICU (³). Patient death can be avoided by professionals who are at the first point of patient contact (⁶), although the window of opportunity for surgical treatment extends to the advanced stages of the disease (⁸).

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Jan-Feb 2014

History

• Received
  13 Sept 2013
• Accepted
  28 Jan 2014