Characteristics of Deep Neck Infection in Children According to Weight Percentile

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of weight percentile on deep neck infections in children. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of 79 patients who were treated for deep neck infections. The patients were divided into six groups according to weight percentile. Patients who had systemic and/or congenital disease were excluded. Their demographics, etiology, localization, laboratory, and treatment results were reviewed. RESULTS: In total, 79 pediatric patients were recorded: 48.1% were females and 51.9% were males, with a mean age of 7.3 years. In total, 60 patients were under the 50th percentile according to their weight versus all children. The anteroposterior triangle (29.1%) and submandibular (26.5%) spaces were most commonly involved with deep neck infection. However, the anteroposterior triangle space was the highest in the group below the 3rd percentile (44.4%). In the blood analysis, white blood cell levels in patients with at percentile values of 75-50 were higher than other groups (P<0.05). Significant differences were found between C-reactive protein and hemoglobin levels and diameter of abscesses. The need for surgical drainage in patients in lower percentiles was higher. The patients who needed surgical drainage consisted of 56 patients (93.3%) below the 50th percentile and 9 patients (100%) below the 3rd percentile. CONCLUSION: Deep neck infection is more insidious and dangerous in low-weight-percentile children, especially those having low white blood cell counts, low hemoglobin levels, and high C-reactive protein in laboratory results.

detection of eagle's syndrome with three-dimensional multidetector computerized tomography [CT]

Eagle's Syndrome is caused by elongation of the styloid process or ossification of the stylohyoid ligament. We aimed to evaluate the contribution of 3-Dimensional Multidetector CT findings on Eagle's syndrome. Three-Dimensional Multidetector CT were performed on 13 patients with Eagle's syndrome. Maximum intensity projection [MIP] and volume rendering [VR] images having optimal resolution in all patients were obtained using 3D reconstructions on work-station. Styloid process and its extension, and stylohyoid ligament were evaluated. A styloid processes e"3cm were accepted to be longer than normal. We also had a control group of patients which consisted of ten patients who had no complaints of dysphagia, throat pain, or foreign body sensation in the throat. Elongation of the styloid process was revealed by 3D VR imaging in all patients. We found elongated styloid process bilaterally in two patients. Elongation of the styloid process was clearly revealed by 3D VR imaging in high contrast and spatial resolution under the anatomic orientation like conventional X-ray in all patients. The diagnosis of Eagle's syndrome was confirmed surgically in four of 13 patients. We conclude that 3D VR imaging is a valuable diagnostic method in detecting elongated styloid process