infection on
head and
neck area are submandibular space, masticatory space,
parapharyngeal space, retropharyngeal space, carotid sheath and
mediastinum, etc. If spread to parapharyngeal area involving
airway, such
infection can be
life-threatening by
airway obstruction, or can cause
vascular injury followed by
hemorrhage, nerve
injuries. Also, if spread to superficially,
necrotizing fasciitis and many
complications may occur including
gangrene of
skin. The key to successful
treatment of
infection on
head and
neck area is recognition of spreading pathways,
early diagnosis and following
therapeutic management. Our department present two cases, one is
infection progressed superficially to suprasternal space, another is spreading deep according to
parapharyngeal space, subclavian space and carotid sheath followed by
airway obstruction, and obtained significant results with
surgical incision and
drainage,
administration of selected
antibiotics, continuous post-operative
treatment. We
report these 2 cases with
literatures review.