Deep neck abscesses: study of 101 cases / Abscessos cervicais profundos: estudo de 101 casos

Abstract Introduction: Although the incidence of Deep Cervical Abscess (DCA) has decreased mainly for the availability of antibiotics, this infection still occurs with considerable frequency and can be associated with high morbidity and mortality. Objective: This study aimed to present our clinical-surgical experience with deep neck abscesses. Methods: A retrospective study analyzed 101 patients diagnosed with deep neck abscesses caused by multiple etiologies, assisted at a medical school hospital during 6 years. One hundred one patients were included and 27 (26.7%) were younger than 18 years old (the children group), 74 patients (73.3%) were older than 18 years old (the adults group). The following clinical features were analyzed and compared: age, gender, clinical symptoms, leukocyte count, the affected cervical area, lifestyle habits, antibiotic therapy, comorbidities, etiology, bacterial culture, time of hospitalization, the need of tracheostomy and complications. Results: There was predominance in the male gender (55.5%) and young people (mean age 28.1 years). All of the 51 patients with associated disease comorbidity were adults. The most frequent etiologies were bacterial tonsillitis (31.68%) and odontogenic infections (23.7%). The most common cervical areas affected were the peritonsillar (26.7%), submandibular/mouth floor (22.7%) and parapharyngeal spaces (18.8%). In children group, the site most commonly involved was the peritonsillar space (10 patients, 37%). In adults group, the site most commonly involved was multispace (31 patients, 41.8%). Streptococcus pyogenes (23.3%) was the most common microorganism present. Amoxicillin associated with clavulanate (82.1%) was the more used antibiotic. The main complications of abscesses were septic shock (16.8%), pneumonia (10.8%) and mediastinitis (1.98%). Tracheostomy was necessary in 16.8% of patients. The mortality rate was 1.98%. Conclusion: The clinical features and severity of DCA varied according to different age groups, perhaps due to the location of the infection and a higher incidence of comorbidity in adults. Thus, DCA in adults is more facile to have multispace involvement and lead to complications and seems to be more serious than that in children.

Resumo Introdução: Embora a incidência dos abscessos cervicais profundos (ACP) tenha diminuído, principalmente pela disponibilidade dos antibióticos, essa infecção ainda ocorre com frequência considerável e pode estar associada a alta morbidade e mortalidade. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo apresentar nossa experiência clínico-cirúrgica com os abcessos cervicais profundos. Método: Um estudo retrospectivo realizado em um hospital universitário analisou 101 pacientes, durante seis anos, diagnosticados com abscessos cervicais profundos causados por múltiplas etiologias. Foram incluídos 101 pacientes, sendo que 27 (26,7%) tinham menos de 18 anos (grupo das crianças) e 74 (73,3%) tinham mais de 18 anos (grupo dos adultos). As seguintes características clínicas foram analisadas e comparadas: idade, sexo, sintomas clínicos, área cervical acometida, hábitos de vida, antibioticoterapia, comorbidades, etiologia, cultura bacteriana, tempo de internação, necessidade de traqueotomia e complicações. Resultados: Houve predominância do sexo masculino (55,5%) e de jovens (idade média de 28,1 anos). Todos os 51 pacientes com comorbidade associada eram adultos. As etiologias mais frequentes foram tonsilite bacteriana (31,68%) e infecções odontogênicas (23,7%). As áreas cervicais acometidas mais comuns foram a peritonsilar (26,7%), submandibular/assoalho da boca (22,7%) e os espaços parafaríngeos (18,8%). No grupo das crianças, o local mais comumente envolvido foi o espaço peritonsilar (10 pacientes, 37%). No grupo dos adultos, houve predomínio de acometimento de múltiplos espaços cervicais (31 pacientes, 41,8%). Streptococcus pyogenes foi o microrganismo presente mais comum (23,3%). A amoxicilina associada ao clavulanato foi o antibiótico mais usado (82,1%). As principais complicações dos abscessos foram choque séptico (16,8%), pneumonia (10,8%) e mediastinite (1,98%). A traqueostomia foi necessária em 16,8% dos pacientes. A taxa de mortalidade foi de 1,98%. Conclusão: As características clínicas e a gravidade dos ACP variam de acordo com as diferentes faixas etárias, possivelmente devido à localização da infecção e à maior incidência de comorbidades em adultos. Assim, o ACP em adultos acomete mais facilmente múltiplos espaços, apresenta mais complicações e parece ser também mais grave do que em crianças.

Foreign Body in Jugal Mucosa

Introduction Foreign body in the oral cavity may be asymptomatic for long time and only sometimes it can lead to a typical granulomatous foreign body reaction. Some patients may complain of oral pain and present signs of inflammation with purulent discharge. A granuloma is a distinct, compact microscopic structure composed of epithelioid-shaped macrophages typically surrounded by a rim of lymphocytes and filled with fibroblasts and collagen. Nowadays, the increase of cosmetic invasive procedures such as injection of prosthetic materials in lips and cheeks may lead to unusual forms of inflammatory granulomas. Objectives Describe an unusual presentation of a foreign body reaction in the buccal mucosa due to previous injection of cosmetic agent. Resumed Report A 74-year-old woman was referred to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery to investigate the presence of multiple painless, bilateral nodules in the buccal mucosa, with progressive growth observed during the previous 2months. The histologic results showed a foreign body inflammatory reaction. Conclusion Oral granulomatosis lesions represent a challenging diagnosis for clinicians and a biopsy may be necessary. Patients may feel ashamed to report previous aesthetic procedures, and the clinicians must have a proactive approach.(AU)