Necrotizing fasciitis of the jaw, neck and mediastinum caused by Klebsiella oxytoca and Streptococcus constellatus: a case report

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare, fulminant, lethal soft-tissue infection result in fascial necrosis, it is rarer in the head and neck area. Infection caused by Klebsiella oxytoca is much less common. Therefore, we reported a case of NF in the maxillofacial region, neck and upper mediastinum caused by Klebsiella axytoca as the main cause recently treated in our department. The patient is a middle-aged male with a 10-year history of diabetes with unstable insulin control. The main symptoms were pain on left side with dysphagia and fever and the situation was getting worse. The patient had limited ability to have mouth open and had hyperemia, swelling on the left pharynx, maxillofacial area, and upper left neck and skin tenderness, and all symptoms were getting worse quick. The CT mainly found out that left oropharyngeal wall, parotid gland area, bilateral submaxilla, left neck, and superior mediastinum are swelling with gas. The blood test result: leukocytes count 16.64x10(9) /L, neutrophils percentage 85.8%; C-Pr 320 mg/L; urinary routine: urine glucose (+++++), ketone bodies (+++++); fasting glucose metabolism: glucose 21.33 mmol/L, glycosylated albumin 47.67%. Three incisions of facial and neck were performed to drain pus. Result of bacteria culture: Klebsiella oxytoca and Streptococcus constellatus During treatment of DKA and reduce patient glucose level, we also treated patient with neck and trachea incisions to drain pus and cleaned daily wound area and used different antibiotics according to the bacteria culture and CT results. And finally, the patient was cured and discharged from hospital. This case of NF was very rare not only the bacteria in this case but also the pathological changes related (involving the mediastinum). The report of his diagnosis and treatment can provide experience for future treatments.

Automated summary

This rare case of necrotizing fasciitis in the head and neck region, neck, and upper mediastinum was caused by Klebsiella oxytoca. The patient initially presented with symptoms of pain on the left side, dysphagia, and fever, and after treatment, he recovered and was discharged from the hospital.