CHARACTERIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF DEEP NECK INFECTIONS

Background and Objectives: A total of 91 patients were included in this retrospective research of deep neck infections to find the clinical disease pattern and form an effective management plan. We determined our findings via clinical, radiological, and operative measures. Peritonsillar space was found in 72 patients in total, 8 patients had parapharyngeal space, submandibular space was determined in 7 patients, retropharyngeal space 1 patient, one patient had a superficial space, anterior visceral space (1), and visceral vascular space (1).  In 8 patients out of the 19 patients, who did not present with a peritonsillar space infection, the origin of the infection was found, 4 of these were odontogenic. 38 patients in total required immediate surgical drainage of the abscess. On 5 patients the doctors performed tracheotomy because dyspnea was noticed to be increasing. 1 patient died due to unknown reasons, who presented with diabetes mellitus and a history of myocardial infraction. No significant occurrence was found in other patients, they had an uneventful recovery with no complications that’s mainly due to an effective combination of early diagnosis, anti microbial therapy and intensive surgical management contributed to the good prognosis.

Key words: cervical fascia; neck space; infection; management