Peritonsillar Abscess Resulting in Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection of the Neck, Chest Wall and Upper Extremity

Abstract

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis with descending mediastinitis is a rare and severe infection with a high mortality rate, which complicates oropharyngeal or odontogenic infection. Even with advancements in antibiotics, diagnostic imaging, and surgical management, the mortality rate remains between 20 and 40 %. Transcervical and transthoracic drainage and debridement were the recognized traditional surgical approach to achieve adequate clearance of infection. Negative pressure wound therapy can be considered to help infective fluid removal to promote wound healing. We present a case with descending necrotizing medastinitis who was successfully managed with negative pressure wound therapy.