Incidentally Discovered Deep Neck Infection in a Septic Patient

Abstract

We incidentally discovered a case of deep neck infection during the treatment of a patient who presented with complaints of decreased consciousness, abdominal distension, and electrolyte imbalance. The patient had neither clinical symptoms nor radiologic findings indicative of deep neck infection; rather, the findings indicated intra-abdominal sepsis and adrenal crisis, for which the symptomatic treatment was provided. When the expected improvement was not observed, we retrospectively reviewed the patient's test records and discovered deep neck infection. Empiric parenteral antibiotic therapy and infection source control, as appropriate for this patient, were administered within 72 hours of hospital admission, without which the condition may have proved fatal. In this report we discuss the best approach for the management of unresolved infectious disease and review the clinical features of deep neck infection.