Spectrum and management of deep neck space infections: an 8-year experience of 234 cases.

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical course and outcome of deep neck infections (DNI), with special emphasis on microbiology and histopathology.

STUDY

DESIGN

Two hundred thirty-four patients with DNIs were included in this study. Patients with peritonsillar or dental infections, infections arising from salivary glands, as well as subjects with abscesses caused by neck trauma were excluded.

METHODS

Clinical analysis of all patients with DNIs who were treated between January 1, 1997 and May 31, 2005 in a single center.

RESULTS

In 13 patients, the DNI was the first manifestation of a malignant tumor. In 17 cases, the DNI was associated with cat-scratch disease (CSD). Six patients suffered from tuberculosis, and in another 7, an infected lateral cleft cyst was found. In 176 patients, the origin of DNI remained unclear.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that CSD, tuberculosis, and malignant tumors must be considered as possible causes of DNIs. The current study represents one of the largest series of DNIs in the modern medical literature.

EBM RATING: C.