Cervico-facial suppurative lymphadenitis due to staphylococcal infection in childhood

Temporary arrest of root development in a premolar of a child with hypodontia and extensive caries

The arrested development of a permanent tooth as a sequela to a periradicular infection in a primary predecessor is a rare occurrence. A case is presented where temporary arrest of root development occurred in a premolar of a child with hypodontia and extensive caries. The aetiology, management and outcome are discussed.

Idiopathic submandibular abscesses in children

Idiopathic submandibular abscesses are often observed in young children and the report concerns 31 children treated over a period of 3 years. Their origin is unknown. As all these abscesses were lymph node abscesses in the submandibular region, it is assumed that they are due to minor oral and nasal cavity traumatic lesions secondarily infected. Antibiotic treatment and surgical drainage resulted in quick resolution and recurrences were never observed.

The pathogenesis and microbiology of idiopathic cervicofacial abscesses

Sixty-three cases of idiopathic cervicofacial abscesses were surveyed. Several debilitating conditions, probably responsible for diminished resistance to infection, were found in association with the abscesses. The condition mainly affected children under two years of age, and the submandibular and submental regions were the most common sites of occurrence. The predominant infecting organism was Staphylococcus aureus. The abscess cavity was a statistically significant source of S. aureus, but the nose, ear, mouth, and skin did not appear to be significant sources of the pathogen. Antibiotics such as Dalacin C and gentamicin were found to be active against all the strains of S. aureus. Although incision and drainage was the most effective method of treatment for the abscesses, appropriate antibiotics may be prescribed for those cases where suppuration has not yet taken place.

Deep neck infections

From January 1967 to August 1978, 65 patients with cervical abscesses were referred to the ENT Clinic of Turku University Hospital. The origin of these deep neck infections was odontogenic in 19, tonsillitis or tonsillectomy in 14, trauma in seven, salivary glands in five and branchiogenic cysts in five and other known causes in three cases. In 12 cases the origin was unknown. The cervical abscesses of odontogenic origin were located mostly in the submandibular space (11/19). The rest of the deep cervical infections were mostly found in the parapharyngeal space (25/46). Etiological factors and treatment of these severe infections are discussed.

Staphylococcal sub-mandibular lymphadenitis in childhood

Thirteen cases of staphylococcal sub-mandibular lymphadenitis in children are presented and the diagnosis and treatment are discussed. All but one of the strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated were resistant to penicillin, while the converse was true for erythromycin. Epidemic strains of Staphylococcus aureus were not found when bacteriophage typing was carried out on isolates from seven of the 13 patients.

Cervicofacial abcesses of unknown origin. A survey of eighty-one cases

A survey of eighty-one patients with cervicofacial abscesses of unknown origin is presented. The salient clinical features and the treatment of the abscesses are described. Mainly affected were children under 4 years of age, and the submandibular and submental regions were the most common sites of involvement. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogenic organism, and epidemic strains were implicated in some cases. A high incidence of resistance to penicillin was noted. The nasal vestibule is postulated to be reservoir of the organisms, and the possible relationship between infection, malnutrition, and a mild degree of anemia is examined.