J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.
2004 Dec;30(6):540-544.
A case of syphilis related cervical necrotizing fasciitis
- Affiliations
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- 1Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kang-Nam St. Hospital, Catholic University, Korea. mm1382@empal.com
Abstract
- The oral lesion of acquired syphilis - primary, secondary, and tertiary - is comparatively rare. Most of the time secondary syphilis manifests itself as a systemic disease with maculopapular eruptions of the skin, generalized lymphadenopathy, fever, and occasional eruptions on the mucous membranes. The lesions of the tertiary stage may occur anywhere in the body, including the oral cavity. Necrotizing faciitis of the head and neck is an uncommon, rapidly spreading soft tissue infection of polymicrobial origin characterized by extensive necrosis and gas formation in the subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia. This is characterized by its fulminating, devastating, and rapid-progressing course. The mortality rate is high if it is not treated promptly and vigorously. Patients with an impaired immune system and those with small-vessel disease such as diabetes mellitus are more prone to develop this infection.
