Deep Neck Space Infections: A Profile of Fifty Nine Cases.

The present study was undertaken to analyse our experience with deep neck space infections and emphasize the importance of patient presentation, radiologic evaluation and early diagnosis and appropriate management. The records of 59 patients treated for deep neck space infections were evaluated. Odontogenic infections (35.59%) were found to be the most common cause of deep neck space infections followed by tonsillar infections (20.33%). Pain, fever, neck swelling and odynophgia were the most common clinical presentations. Radiological investigations were performed in all the patients (100%) while contrast enhanced CT - scan was performed in 35 patients (59.32%). The most commonly involved sites were the submandibular space and the parapharyngeal space, involving 14 patients and 11 patients respectively. All the patients (100%) were on intravenous antibiotics and fluids. Surgical intervention was done in 47 patients (79.66%) whereas 12 patients (20.33%) improved with conservative medical management alone. Despite the wide use of antibiotics, deep neck space infections are commonly seen. Early clinical and radiological diagnosis and appropriate management help to prevent the development of life threatening complications. Surgical drainage forms the mainstay of treatment, conservative medical therapy is also effective in selective cases.

A Case of Neonatal Submandibular Gland Abscess / 대한이비인후과학회지

Submandibular gland abscess is exceptionally rare in neonates. We present a case of submandibular gland abscess and etiology, investigations and treatment for this very rare condition. The patient was a 15-day-old neonate with a swelling in the right submandibualr region. She was born after a full term and showed a sign of dehydration. An ultrasound examination demonstrated a multiple lobulated echoic lesion and the right submandibular gland was nonvisible. A CT scan revealed a hypodense round mass measuring 2.5x2.8x2.8 cm and a multiple hyperdense lesion, but no right submandibular glands. A dignosis of submandibular abscess in association with acute suppurative sialadenitis was made. Under general anesthesia, the neck abscess was drained by a 2-cm long incision at two finger-breadths (3 cm) below the inferior border of the ramus of mandibule. A large amount of greenish pus emerged immediately after dividing the platysma. The submandibular salivary gland was nearly not found. Specimen from the pus were taken for the culturing of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and tuberculosis. The wound was irrigated by normal saline and penrose drain was inserted. The antibiotics was administered for 7 days. A three-week follow-up showed no evidence of infection.

A Case of Neonatal Submandibular Abscess

Suppurative sialadenitis is rare in the neonate and usually involves the parotid glands. Isolated suppurative submandibular sialadenitis in the neonatal population is extremely rare. There are only 11 cases found in the literature of suppurative submandibular sialadenitis occurring as an isolated lesion. We describe a case of isolated submandibular sialadenitis progressing to submandibular abscess requiring incision and drainage in a term neonate. Pus culture yielded methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A brief review of literature is included.