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#1
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07-09-2014, 06:50 PM
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 ✖ The Antique Christ ✖ Poster Rank:106 Gonzo Punk Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 15,478
Contributions: 62
15,478Posts 39,153Thanked 2,046Quoted 23Mentioned 62Contrib. |
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Facial Necrotizing Fasciitis
A 71-year-old man with decompensated liver cirrhosis presented to the emergency department with complaints of upper lip swelling and fever (body temperature 38°C [100.4°F]) and initially treated as angioedema. The patient was intubated the following day because of progressive and extensive upper lip, tongue, and right neck swelling (Figure 1). Noncontrast computed tomographic (CT) scan was performed on the same day (Figure 2). Continuous upper lip and right neck cutaneous gangrene developed within the next 4 days (Figure 3). Another CT scan was arranged (Figure 4).  Upper lip swelling. Nasal tracheal intubation placement to protect the patient's compromised airway.  CT scan demonstrating severe bilateral facial subcutaneous infiltration, swelling, and fascia thickening.  Upper lip gangrene.  Follow-up CT scan showing bilateral facial soft tissue air. Diagnosis Facial necrotizing fasciitis Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly spreading soft tissue bacterial infection causing superficial fascia and subcutaneous tissue necrosis. It predominantly involves the trunk, extremities, and genitalia and rarely affects the head and neck. Diabetes mellitus is the most common associated disease. The involved area may be edematous and erythematous, with or without tenderness, possibly leading the physician to misdiagnose as signs of cellulitis or angioedema. Skin necrosis and crepitus usually develop late in the course of the disease. It may cause septicemia, upper airway obstruction, multiple organ failure, and eventual death if inadequately treated or diagnosed late. The use of a CT scan may aid in early diagnosis. Diffuse thickening and enhancement of subcutaneous fat, cervical fascia, and muscle may be seen on CT scan. Soft tissue gas and fluids are present in only 55% to approximately 64% of cases. Early identification, radical surgical debridement, and broad-spectrum antibiotics are the keys to successful therapy. |
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#4
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07-10-2014, 12:51 PM
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 ★ Legacy Member ★ Poster Rank:197 All woman Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 7,761 7,761Posts 11,231Thanked 1,420Quoted 22Mentioned 0Contrib. |
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Re: Facial Necrotizing Fasciitis
Holy crap, how in the world did she pull through? What caused the initial infection? Did they have to put her on life support? And how would they be able to get a breathing tube down her throat, did she have to be trached or criked? (I know I'm asking a lot of questions and being a pain in the rear, but to be that young, have it in a place like that and make it, she must have had someone looking out for her.)
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