Obojestranska disfunkcija zgornjih grlnih zivcev kot posledica cervikalnega nekrozantnega fasciitisa: prikaz primera

Background: Cervical necrotizing fasciitis is an infectious disease with serious complications and grave prognosis. We report a case of cervical necrotizing fasciitis with consequent bilateral dysfunction of the superior laryngeal nerves and describe the characteristics of this exceptional complication. Case report: A 71-year-old female patient, surgically treated for cervical necrotizing fasciitis, suered from severe dysphagia aer surgery. Radiographic and berendoscopic evaluation showed aspiration and hyposensibility of glottis and supraglottis. Apart from inadequate laryngeal elevation, we explain dysphagia also by sensory decit of the supraglottic mucosa with consequent lack of vocal folds adduction during swallowing. The sensory decit was attributed to the toxic neuritis-mediated dysfunction of both internal branches of the superior laryngeal nerves. The healing of both cervical necrotizing fasciitis and toxic neuritis led to the restoration of sensory function and swallowing. Conclusions: Although only occasionally reported in the literature, patients with cervical necrotizing fasciitis are prone to toxic neuritis-mediated neurological decits of the cranial nerves, which are considered to be another complication of this entity.