Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate pediatric and adult patients diagnosed with deep neck infection (DNI) in terms of clinical features, etiology, infection or abscess localization, treatment, prognosis, and demographics.

METHODS: This retrospective study included 160 DNI patients (96 males, 64 females; mean age 28.2 years; range 1 to 78 years). Etiological factors, seasonal superiority, complaints, habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption, previous antibiotic usage, radiological and laboratory findings, location of the pathology, culture results, modalities of treatment, complications, and durations of disease and hospital stay were analyzed.

RESULTS: Most frequently observed etiological factor was dental infection. Fifty patients clinically presented with sore throat. Deep neck infections were located in various areas, the most common locations being the peritonsillar, parapharyngeal, and submandibular areas, respectively. Approximately 50% of the patients responded to only empirical ampicillin-sulbactam treatment. One patient with Ludwig’s angina died due to decompensated heart failure.

CONCLUSION: Due to its high mortality and morbidity rates, it is of utmost importance for physicians to be informed regarding the differential diagnosis and treatment of DNI.