Emergency Room Diagnosis of Necrotizing Fasciitis due to dental infection using Point of Care Ultrasound
Sunday, April 7, 2024
3:06pm – 3:13pm
Location: 412
Authors: Kristopher Bianconi, Stony Brook University Hospital Michael Secko, Stony Brook University Hospital Daniel Singer, Stony Brook University Hospital Benjamin Fombonne, Stony Brook Medicine Brian Wright, Stony Brook Medicine ,
We present here a case of an afebrile 66-year-old patient who arrived at the ER with notable tachycardia and complaints of left jaw pain and swelling worsening over the past five days. The patient was initially examined by ED clinical team who performed point of care ultrasound due to her tachycardia to evaluate for volume depletion. After completion of a cardiac exam a soft tissue ultrasound of the affected area was performed which revealed a submental abscess as well as multiple foci free air, concerning for necrotizing fasciitis. Immediate surgical consultation, IV antibiotics and IV fluids were administered. Two hours after the completion and interpretation of POCUS, a CT scan of the neck and soft tissues confirmed the findings of an abscess complicated by necrotizing fasciitis. This case serves to illustrate the utility of POCUS in the ED setting to aid in the diagnosis of a severe, life-threatening disease.