Deep neck space infection – A retrospective study of 270 cases at tertiary care center

Abstract

ObjectiveTo review the clinical findings in deep neck infections and identification predisposing factors of these complications.MethodsIn this study, 270 patients with deep neck infections were studied retrospectively, study conducted in the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, Nanded, Maharashtra, India, from March 2013 to March 2016.ResultsAnalysis showed that males are most likely to have deep neck space infections (DNSI). Odontogenic and tonsillar causes were the more frequent ones. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species were the microorganisms more commonly isolated.ConclusionDNSI remains a common and challenging disease for otorhinolaryngologists, and should be treated on emergency basis. In developing countries, lack of adequate nutrition, poor oral hygiene, tobacco chewing, smoking and beetle nut chewing has led to an increased prevalence of dental and periodontal diseases. In present study, Odontogenic infections were the most common etiological factor for DNSI.

Deep Neck Space Infections: A Retrospective Study of 183 Cases at a Tertiary Hospital

“…A study by Bottin et al showed similar results to ours where the majority of their patients complained of neck pain (71.1%), followed by odynophagia (54.2%) and dysphagia (51.8%) [7]. Pain was also the most commonly reported symptom in Gujrathi et al, accounting for 81.48%, followed by swelling 77.78% [3].…”

“…Although DNSI can affect people of all ages, in our research, people aged 41-60 years were the most affected while persons above 70 years were the least affected. A study by Gujrathi et al found that the majority of their patients were in the third decade (21.85%) followed by the fourth decade of life (18.15%) [3]. Results by Har-El et al also showed that almost 50% of their patients were in their thirties or forties [4].…”

“…Kamath et al reported in their study that the sites of origin of DNSI were unknown (38%), with (28%) being odontogenic and (24%) being tonsils/pharynx infection [6]. Gujrathi et al found that dental (42.2%) was the major site of origin, followed by pharynx (14.5%) and salivary glands (13.2%) [3]. Seventy percent of deep neck infections in the pre-antibiotic era was as a result of spread from pharyngeal and tonsillar infections while dental infections were the cause in only 20% of DNSI patients.…”

A rare case of temporal and infratemporal space abscess secondary to masseteric space infection

“…Temporal space abscess is rare and has been rarely reported in the literature with an incidence of 0.74%. 1 Peterson stated that temporal space is divided into superficial and deep temporal spaces. The superficial temporal space extends superiorly to the pericranium, lateral to the temporalis muscle and medial to the temporoparietal fascia, inferiorly it is continuous with the masseteric space.…”

“…Most common deep neck space infection remains Ludwig's angina followed by peritonsillar, submandibular, and parotid abscess. 1 Temporal and infratemporal space infections are rare. The main etiological factors are maxillary sinusitis, tonsillitis, maxillary sinus fracture, temporomandibular arthroscopy, drug infection, dental caries and extraction of infected and non-infected tooth.…”