Necrotizing fasciitis of eyelid secondary to parotitis.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of a patient with necrotizing fasciitis of the eyelid spreading from parotid gland.

METHODS: Interventional case report. The patient admitted with rapidly progressive swelling, redness, and pain of four eyelids, and whole face. Pathogenic microorganism was searched, laboratory tests were evaluated. Intensive medical treatment and necrotic wound debridement was performed.

RESULTS: The patient had been receiving oral cephalosporin at the time she was referred to our hospital, but her infection had spread rapidly under this treatment. In addition to her eyelid necrosis, septic shock developed within 24 hours. No pathogenic microorganism was detected in cultures. The patient responded to intravenous sulbactam ampicillin, surgical debridement of necrotic wound and supportive medical care. Moderate ptosis was the only complication observed in this patient. Reconstructive surgery was not needed.

CONCLUSIONS: With prompt antibiotic treatment and surgical debridement, cosmetic and functional success may be obtained in necrotizing fasciitis cases rarely seen with parotid gland origin.