Deep neck space infections affect fascial compartments of the head and neck, and their contents.
They spread via lymphatic vessels, blood vessels, or direct extension and can lead to lethal complications. Although the incidence of deep neck space infections was much higher in the preantibiotic era, cases causing significant morbidity are
still
seen
today.
The authors recently experienced 32 cases of these infection from March 1989 to June 1994.
@ES The results were as follows:
@EN 1) Sex ratio of male to female was 0.7:1 and the age varied from 2 to 77 years old.
2) The sites of infections were 14 cases of submandibular space (43.8%), 8 cases of parapharyngeal space (25.0%), 5 cases of sublingual space (15.6%), and 5 cases of retropharyngeal space (15.6%).
3) The possible etiologic events were 14 cases of dental infection (43.8%), 7 cases of upper respiratory infection (21.9), a case of acute esophagitis (3.1%), a case of cervical lymphadenitis (3.1%), a case of gingival laceration (3.1%), and 8
cases of
unknown origi (25.0%).
4) Most common etiologic event according to infection sites were as follows: submandibular space infections were odontogenic, parapharyngeal space infection were odontogenic and URI. Sublingual space infections were odontogenic, retropharyngeal
space
infections were unknown origin.
5) The associate conditions were 3 cases of diabetes mellitus (9.4%), 2 cases of liver disease (6.2%), 2 cases of anemia (6.2%), a case of pregnancy (3.1%), a case of hear disease (3.1%), a case of brain infarction (3.1%), and a case of bronchial
asthma
(3.1%).
6) The isolated organisms of 9 cases were 3 cases of alpha-hemolytic streptococcus, 2 cases of staphylococcus species, a case of Kl4ebsiella pneumoniae, a case of Neisseria species and alpha-hemolytic streptococci, and 2 cases of no growth.
7) The sixteen cases were investigated with ultrasonogram or CT scan, which were helpful for the diagnosis and proper management.
8) The three cases among highly suspecting deep neck absecess 13 cases in CT scan or ultrasonogram were not found pus when incised or aspirated.
9) The twenty two cases were treated conservatively and 10 cases were treated surgically. (Korean J Otolaryngol 38:4, 1995)
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