Conservative management of streptococcal necrotizing periorbital fasciitis following primary VZV infection

A 45-year old male patient, with a past history of illicit drug abuse and hepatitis C, presented with a 2 day history of worsening eyelid edema. Examination of the globe was impossible due to eyelid fusion caused by extensive soft tissue damage. Based on the examination, a diagnosis of necrotic fasciitis secondary to VZV infection was made. The patient received empirical treatment with intravenous acyclovir, meropenem and vancomycin. CT imaging demonstrated no ocular involvement. Lesions were cultivated, revealing presence of Streptococcus pyogenes. Intravenous clindamycin was added to his course. Improvement was gradually observed. The patient received treatment for a total of 21 days, resulting in excellent final outcome. His final visual acuity was 0.9 on a Snellen chart, without signs of ocular inflammation. No surgical intervention was required and lesions fully healed with conservative management. Clinical outcomes depend on prompt treatment initiation, whilst delay in the diagnosis can prove fatal.