US-guided drainage of deep neck space abscess.

Infection of oropharyngeal or upper airway origin may extend to potential spaces formed by fascial planes of the cervical area. These space infections have been greatly reduced by modern antibiotic therapy. However, serious complications continue to occur. An 18-year-old man who presented with neck mass was admitted and treated. He underwent ultrasonically guided drainage procedure using Percuflex drainage catheter within 6 h of his arrival. He was discharged from the hospital 10 days later. Although it is still thought that early open surgical drainage is the most appropriate method for treatment of deep cervical abscess, early treatment with a drainage catheter such as Percuflex may replace surgery. Life threatening complications can thus be avoided with good cosmetic results and rapid recovery.