Multiple vascular complications due to cervical necrotizing fasciitis

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis is rarely reported in the literature, particularly in the pediatric population. Reported mortality rates resulting from progressive sepsis and multi-system organ failure are as high as 76% [1]. Mainstays of therapy for necrotizing fasciitis include aggressive, serial surgical debridement of devitalized tissue and antibiotic therapy. Major hemorrhagic vascular complications due to cervical necrotizing fasciitis have never been reported in the medical literature. We report the first case of a child with cervical necrotizing fasciitis who survived after suffering two imminently fatal vascular injuries from his infection.