Presentation and management of deep neck space abscess.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the presentation, etiology, microbiology and morbidity of deep neck space infections. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study Methods: 29 patients admitted in Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Mangulore, India between January 1997 and December 2002 with deep neck space infections.,were included in the study. REMITS The most common space involved was the parapharyngeul space. No specific etiology was determined in .38%; an odontogenic cause was discovered in 28% of the patients; tonsillar/pharyngeal infections in 24% of patients and foreign body impaction in 7% of cases. The main morbidity was due to mediastinitis (5 patients). I patient succumbed to the disease. Mixed flora with aerobic and anaerobic infections was identified in most of the cases.