Deep cervical infections - an uncommon but significant problem

Diagnosis and treatment of deep neck space abscesses

Objective: To review our experience with deep neck abscesses and identify unique trends in our patient population.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Subjects and Methods: Evaluation of patients with deep neck space abscesses between 2001 and 2006. Peritonsillar abscess, superficial craniocervical infection, and salivary gland infections were excluded from selection of study population. A total of 106 cases were reviewed.

Results: Dental infections were the most common cause of deep neck abscesses (49.1%). Comorbidities included substance abuse (53.7%), psychiatric illness (10.4%), hypertension (9.4%), head and neck cancer (6.6%), and diabetes mellitus (5.7%). All patients received systemic antibiotics, eight patients required tracheotomy, 85 patients underwent surgical drainage in the operating room, and 11 had bedside drainage. Median and lower quartile of time in hospital was 2 and 3 days, respectively, whereas upper quartile was 4 days (range, 1 to 27 days). Patients with comorbidities or concurrent illness tended to stay longer ( P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney test). There were six complications and no mortality.

Conclusion: Substance abuse and poor orodental hygiene are important predisposing factors to deep neck abscesses. Appropriate management continues to favor a combination of early surgical drainage and systemic antibiotics.

Surgical debridement and adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen in cervical necrotizing fasciitis

Objective: To review our management of cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) with the use of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO).

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Subjects and Methods: Evaluation of ten patients with CNF between 2001 to 2006.

Results: There were five male and six female patients. Mean age was 43 ± 11 years. Eight cases resulted from an odontogenic source. Comorbidities included diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and substance abuse. All patients had computed tomography scans performed, received intravenous antibiotics, and underwent surgical debridement. Eight patients underwent surgery within 24 hours. The average number of debridements was 2.2 ± 0.8. Hospitalization was twice as long for diabetic patients (15.5 ± 8.16 days) compared with nondiabetic patients (7.5 ± 1.6 days, P = 0.029). Nine patients had HBO therapy. Combined data revealed a possible decrease in length of hospitalization with HBO therapy ( P < 0.001). No mortality was documented.

Conclusion: In addition to early and aggressive medical management and surgical debridement, this study suggests that HBO therapy is a beneficial adjunct by potentially decreasing length of hospitalization. Randomized trials are still needed to demonstrate its efficacy.

[Temporal cellulitis of odontogenic origin complicated by temporomandibular osteoarthritis]

INTRODUCTION

Temporal cellulitis complicated by temporomandibular osteoarthritis and mandibular osteomyelitis is rare with the availability of antibiotics and the prevention of dental infections.

CASE REPORT

A 56 year-old woman developed a jaw abscess during hospitalization in an intensive care unit following medical drug overdose. Repeatedly surgical drainage was performed guided by CT scans and multiple antibiotherapies. CT scan follow-up revealed temporomandibular arthritis with decrease of the joint space, synovitis, and subchondral cysts. Slow improvement was noted but limited mouth opening was persistent.

DISCUSSION

This case illustrates the insidious evolution of an uncommon infection. It requires both expert clinical evaluation and an early MRI or CT scan investigation to determine the extension of the infection. Treatment is urgent because of the prognosis and is achieved by surgical drainage and adequate long-term antibiotherapy.

Therapies for necrotising fasciitis

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare but life-threatening infectious disease emergency. Delays in diagnosis and treatment are common, and mortality rates often exceed 30%. Successful management of this disease requires high clinical suspicion and aggressive action. The mainstays of therapy include early and wide surgical debridement, antibiotics and supportive care, with prompt surgical intervention. Adjunctive modalities, such as protein synthesis inhibitors, hyperbaric oxygen and intravenous immunoglobulin, may have a role, but their effectiveness remains unproven. New rapid diagnostic tools are emerging that promise to revolutionize early detection of necrotising fasciitis. Research into the molecular microbiology, especially regarding group A streptococcus, are providing novel insights into the pathogenesis of necrotising soft tissue infections and identifying future targets for rationally designed interventions.

Necrotizing fasciitis: pathogenesis and treatment

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening infection and a true infectious disease emergency. Despite much clinical experience, the management of this disease remains suboptimal, with mortality rates remaining approximately 30%. Necrotizing fasciitis rarely presents with obvious signs and symptoms and delays in diagnosis enhance mortality. Therefore, successful patient care depends on the physician's acumen and index of suspicion. Prompt surgical debridement, intravenous antibiotics, fluid and electrolyte management, and analgesia are mainstays of therapy. Adjunctive clindamycin, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and intravenous immunoglobulin are frequently employed in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis, but their efficacy has not been rigorously established. Improved understanding of the pathogenesis of necrotizing fasciitis has revealed new targets for rationally designed therapies to improve morbidity and mortality.