CASE REPORT: NECROTIZING FASCIITIS OF ODONTOGENIC ORIGIN IN A SUBJECT AFFECTED BY UNCOMPENSATED TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF) is a highly aggressive infectious process that affects soft tissues. with a high risk of rapid progression through superficial and deep levels of fascia, to the muscle layers. Some forms originate from odontogenous centres with the possibility of rapid evolution into forms of mediastinitis with high mortality rates. Systemic conditions that compromise the immune system of an organism can very easily induce the fatal development of these infectious processes. Prognosis is dependant upon the isolation of the germs that may be responsible in order to start a timely and specific therapeutic treatment: if the isolation is not supported by enough laboratory data to identify the range of action of the pathogens responsible. a wide ranging antibiotic treatment, and possibly surgical drains or treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, should be started. The clinical case that we shall describe is typical and rather complex.