Deep Neck Infections: Demographic and Clinical Factors Associated with Poor Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Deep neck infections (DNIs) are abscesses located in the profound spaces of the neck and constitute one of the most common otolaryngological life-threatening emergencies. The aim of this study is to review the clinical and demographic data of patients with DNI and identify factors associated with prolonged hospitalization, reoperation, and mortality. METHODS: Retrospective review and analysis of 75 patients with DNI admitted from January 2015 to December 2019 in a tertiary referral hospital. RESULTS: Of 75 patients, 50 (66.6%) were males and 25 (33.3%) females. Age ranged from 18 to 91 years with a mean of 41.79 (±15.48). DNIs were odontogenic in 49 patients (65.3%). History of diabetes mellitus (DM) was positive in 26 patients (34.6%). The submandibular space was involved in 57 patients (76%). Streptococcus spp. were isolated in 35 patients (46%). Intubation for airway preservation was needed in 21 patients (28%) and tracheostomy in 6 (8%). Mediastinitis presented in 8 patients (10.67%), with a mortality rate of 62.5% (n = 5). Mean hospital stay was 9.13 days (±7.2). DM (p = 0.016), age (p = 0.001), BMI classification 3, 4, and 6 (p = 0.041), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission (p = 0.009) were associated with a longer stay. Surgical drainage was performed after 1.71 days (±1.65). Surgical reintervention was needed in 6 cases (8%) and was associated with temporal (p = 0.001) and masticator (p = 0.002) space involvement and DM (p = 0.009). Overall mortality was 8% and decreased to 1.5% when mediastinitis was excluded. Mediastinitis (p = 0.001), ICU admission (p < 0.0001), Streptococcus spp. (p = 0.019), and low hemoglobin levels (p = 0.004) were associated with mortality. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: DNIs are entities associated with high morbimortality. Mediastinitis and airway obstruction are life-threatening possible complications and should be promptly evaluated. Low HB could be used as a predicting factor for mortality.

Morphometric Study of Cervical Vertebrae C3-C7 in a Population from Northeastern Mexico / Estudio Morfométrico de las Vértebras Cervicales C3-C7 en una Población del Noreste de México

Knowing the dimensions of the vertebral elements is very important for the development of instrumentation related to the cervical spine. Ethnic variations have been reported in these dimensions and, to date, there have been no morphometric studies of this area performed on the Mexican population. We conducted a morphometric study of 150 cervical vertebrae (C3-C7) obtained from a northeastern Mexican population to determine the dimensions of the bodies, pedicles, laminae, spinous processes, and superior and inferior articular processes. We did not find significant differences (p<0.05) in measurements taken of the left and right sides. The dimensions of the vertebral bodies were larger at lower levels. The pedicles of the C3 vertebra were larger in all dimensions compared to the other vertebrae. The largest height of the laminae was observed at C7 and the largest transverse length was observed at C5. The dimensions of the bodies, spinous processes, and laminae increased from C3-C7, whereas the dimensions of the pedicles and superior and inferior articular process height decreased toward the lower cervical levels.

Las mediciones de los elementos vertebrales son importantes para la instrumentación de columna cervical. Se han reportado variaciones étnicas en estas medidas y en la actualidad no existen estudios morfométricos en la población mexicana. Se realizó un estudio morfométrico en 150 vértebras cervicales (C3-C7) para determinar las medidas de los cuerpos, pedículos, láminas, procesos espinosos y articulares superiores e inferiores. No se encontraron diferencias significativas (p<0.05) en las medidas tomadas entre ambos lados. Las dimensiones de los cuerpos vertebrales se incrementan en niveles más bajos. Los pedículos de la vértebra C3 son mayores en todas sus dimensiones. La mayor altura de las láminas se observó en C7 y la mayor longitud transversal en C5. Las dimensiones del cuerpo, procesos espinosos y láminas se incrementan de C3-C7, mientras las dimensiones de los pedículos, altura de procesos articulares superiores e inferiores disminuyen en los niveles cervicales más bajos.