Management of Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis, a Severe Complication of Deep Neck Infection, Based on Multidisciplinary Approaches and Departmental Co-Ordination

C-reactive protein and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as key inflammatory indicators in the diagnosis of cervical necrotizing fasciitis

BACKGROUND

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) is a life-threatening bacterial infection with a diagnostic challenge. Currently, there is insufficient evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of inflammatory indicators in CNF.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to identify key inflammatory indicators and assess their diagnostic accuracy for CNF.

METHODS

A diagnostic case-control study was conducted at a tertiary healthcare facility from January 2020 to December 2023. Laboratory data from patients with CNF and non-CNF at admission were evaluated. Key inflammatory indicators were identified through consistent outcomes from multivariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves analyses. The diagnostic accuracy of these indicators, with the results of combined tests, were calculated.

RESULTS

CNF was confirmed in 21 of the 67 patients investigated. C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were identified as key inflammatory indicators, with sensitivities of 0.905 and 0.810, and specificities of 0.870 and 0.913, respectively, at CRP threshold of 165.0 mg/L and NLR of 15.8. Combining CRP and NLR in parallel and serial tests increased sensitivity to 0.952 and specificity to 1.0, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

CRP and NLR have been verified as key inflammatory indicators with satisfactory diagnostic abilities for CNF diagnosis, providing a strong foundation for future studies.

Sequential Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Deep Neck Infections: Comparison of the Clinical Characteristics of Patients with and without Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

Deep neck infections (DNIs) can compromise the airway and are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia that is associated with several comorbidities. We compared the clinical characteristics of DNI patients with and without DM.

METHODS

This study recorded the relevant clinical variables of 383 patients with DNIs between November 2016 and September 2022; of those patients, 147 (38.38%) had DM. The clinical factors between DNI patients with and without DM were assessed.

RESULTS

Patients with DM were older (p < 0.001), had higher white blood cell counts (p = 0.029) and C-reactive protein levels (CRP, p < 0.001), had a greater number of deep neck spaces (p = 0.002) compared to patients without DM, and had longer hospital stays (p < 0.001). Klebsiella pneumoniae was cultured more frequently from patients with DM than those without DM (p = 0.002). A higher CRP level (OR = 1.0094, 95% CI: 1.0047-1.0142, p < 0.001) was a significant independent risk factor for DM patients with prolonged hospitalization. The lengths of hospital stays in patients with poorly controlled DM were longer than those with well-controlled DM (p = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

DNI disease severity and outcomes were worse in patients with DM than those without DM. Antibiotics effective against Klebsiella pneumoniae should be used for DNI patients with DM. DNI patients with DM and high CRP levels had more prolonged hospitalizations. Appropriate blood glucose control is essential for DNI patients with DM.

Multidisciplinary Management of Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis: Is Thoracoscopic Treatment Feasible?

Background: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a life-threatening condition, generally caused by downward dissemination of oropharyngeal infections through cervical fascial planes. Mediastinal drainage is conventionally achieved by thoracotomy, but a Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) approach is gaining interest due to the reduced invasiveness of procedure. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of VATS treatment in patients with DNM. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study including patients with descending mediastinitis that underwent mediastinal drainage through VATS (VATS group) or thoracotomy (thoracotomy group), both in association with cervical drainage. Patients with mediastinitis secondary to cardiac, pulmonary, or esophageal surgery were excluded. The intergroup differences regarding surgical outcome and postoperative morbidity and mortality were compared. Results: A total of 21 patients were treated for descending mediastinitis during the study period. Cervicotomy and thoracotomy were performed in 15 patients (71%), while cervicotomy and VATS were performed in 6 patients (29%). There were no significant differences in surgical outcome, postoperative morbidity, and mortality between groups. VATS treatment was not associated with a higher complication rate. Patients in the VATS group had a shorter operative time (p = 0.016) and shorter ICU stay (p = 0.026). Conclusions: VATS treatment of DNM is safe and effective. The comparison with thoracotomy showed no significant differences in postoperative morbidity and mortality. The VATS approach is associated with a shorter operative time and ICU stay than thoracotomy.

Demographic, clinical, and paraclinical features of patients operated with the diagnosis of acute descending necrotizing mediastinitis: a retrospective study in Southern Iran

INTRODUCTION

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a type of acute mediastinitis that is rarely reported but is regarded as a fatal disease despite improvements in technological methods and antibiotic therapies. We aimed to determine the demographic, clinical, and paraclinical features of patients diagnosed with acute DNM.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, patients' hospital records with a diagnosis of DNM admitted to the Namazi hospital in southern Iran during 18 years (2002-2019) were reviewed. Demographic and clinical features were recorded and subsequently analyzed via SPSS 22.

RESULTS

Out of 67 mediastinitis patients, 25 (37.3%) were diagnosed as DNM with an average age of 37.2 ± 16.7 years, and 68% were male. Regarding etiology, 52.0% were due to neck infection. Based on the technique of surgery, 52% of the patients underwent the combined method, which was mostly among type I and IIA DNM, while thoracotomy was mostly performed on type IIB DNM (P = 0.08). Based on the incision, type IIA and IIB had the highest frequency of thoracotomy and cervicothoracic incisions (P = 0.02 and 0.002). Puss discharge was significantly lower in type I DNM (P = 0.01). Based on the presenting symptoms of our patients, the majority (72.0%) had a chief complaint of neck pain, followed by chills and fever (48%). There were no reports of mortality during our short-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We report one of the largest retrospective studies of DNM patients in our referral center, with a high prevalence of the disease among younger populations, especially under 40 years. The method of treatment should be chosen based on the extent of infection and can be limited to neck exploration in upper mediastinal infections, though thoracic or combined approach in more broad infections.

A Machine Learning Approach to Assess Patients with Deep Neck Infection Progression to Descending Mediastinitis: Preliminary Results

BACKGROUND

Deep neck infection (DNI) is a serious infectious disease, and descending mediastinitis is a fatal infection of the mediastinum. However, no study has applied artificial intelligence to assess progression to descending mediastinitis in DNI patients. Thus, we developed a model to assess the possible progression of DNI to descending mediastinitis.

METHODS

Between August 2017 and December 2022, 380 patients with DNI were enrolled; 75% of patients (n = 285) were assigned to the training group for validation, whereas the remaining 25% (n = 95) were assigned to the test group to determine the accuracy. The patients' clinical and computed tomography (CT) parameters were analyzed via the k-nearest neighbor method. The predicted and actual progression of DNI patients to descending mediastinitis were compared.

RESULTS

In the training and test groups, there was no statistical significance (all p > 0.05) noted at clinical variables (age, gender, chief complaint period, white blood cells, C-reactive protein, diabetes mellitus, and blood sugar), deep neck space (parapharyngeal, submandibular, retropharyngeal, and multiple spaces involved, ≥3), tracheostomy performance, imaging parameters (maximum diameter of abscess and nearest distance from abscess to level of sternum notch), or progression to mediastinitis. The model had a predictive accuracy of 82.11% (78/95 patients), with sensitivity and specificity of 41.67% and 87.95%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our model can assess the progression of DNI to descending mediastinitis depending on clinical and imaging parameters. It can be used to identify DNI patients who will benefit from prompt treatment.

Assessment of the Elderly Adult Patients with Deep Neck Infection: A Retrospective Study

Background: Deep neck infection (DNI) is a potentially lethal infectious disease affecting middle-aged adults and can compromise the airway. There are limited data on the prognosis and outcomes of elderly (aged > 65 years) DNI patients, who tend to be immunocompromised. This study analyzed the clinical characteristics of elderly and adult (aged 18-65 years) DNI patients. Methods: Between November 2016 and November 2022, 398 patients with DNIs, including 113 elderly patients, were admitted to our hospital and enrolled in this study. The relevant clinical variables were investigated and compared. Results: The elderly DNI patients had longer hospital stays (P < .001), higher C-reactive protein levels (P = .021), higher blood sugar levels (P = .012), and a higher likelihood of diabetes mellitus (P = .025) than the adult patients. The higher blood sugar level is an independent risk factor for elderly (odds ratio = 1.005, 95% confidence intervals 1.002-1.008, P < .001). Moreover, the rates of intubation to protect the airway (P = .005) and surgical incision and drainage (I&D; P = .010) were higher in the elderly group. However, there were no group differences in pathogen distributions. Conclusion: The elderly DNI patients in this study had a more severe disease course, and poorer prognosis than the adult patients, as well as higher rates of intubation and I&D. However, the pathogen distributions did not differ significantly between the groups. Prompt intervention and treatment are important for elderly DNI patients.

Assessment of Factors Associated With Long-Term Hospitalization in Patients With a Deep Neck Infection

BACKGROUND

Deep neck infection (DNI) is a severe infectious disorder of deep neck spaces that can cause serious complications. Long-term hospitalization is when a patient spends more time in the hospital than originally expected for a disease. There are few studies assessing the risk factors associated with long-term hospitalization for a DNI. This study investigated the factors causing DNI patients to experience long-term hospitalization.

METHODS

Long-term hospitalization is defined as a length of hospital stay exceeding 28 days (> 4 weeks) in this research. A total of 362 subjects with a DNI between October 2017 and November 2022 were recruited. Among these patients, 20 required long-term hospitalization. The relevant clinical variables were assessed.

RESULTS

In a univariate analysis, C-reactive protein (odds ratio [OR] = 1.003, 95% CI: 1.000-1.007, P = .044), involvement of ≥3 deep neck spaces (OR = 2.836, 95% CI: 1.140-7.050, P = .024), and mediastinitis (OR = 8.102, 95% CI: 3.041-21.58, P < .001) were significant risk factors for long-term hospitalization in DNI patients. In a multivariate analysis, mediastinitis (OR = 6.018, 95% CI: 2.058-17.59, P = .001) was a significant independent risk factor for long-term hospitalization for a DNI. There were no significant differences in pathogens between the patients with and without long-term hospitalization (all P > .05). However, the rates of no growth of specific pathogens were significantly different between patients with and without long-term hospitalization, and those with long-term hospitalization had greater rates of growth of specific pathogens (P = .032). The rate of tracheostomy in patients with long-term hospitalization was higher than for those without (P < .001). Nevertheless, the rates of surgical incision and drainage between patients with and without long-term hospitalization did not achieve statistical significance (P = .069).

CONCLUSIONS

Deep neck infection (DNI) is a critical, life-threatening disease that could lead to long-term hospitalization. The higher CRP and involvement of ≥3 deep neck spaces were significant risk factors in univariate analysis, while concurrent mediastinitis was an independent risk factor associated with long-term hospitalization. We suggest intensive care and prompt airway protection for DNI patients with concurrent mediastinitis.

Use of 3-dimensional printing at the point-of-care to manage a complex wound in hemifacial necrotizing fasciitis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Complex facial wounds can be difficult to stabilize due to proximity of vital structures. We present a case in which a patient-specific wound splint was manufactured using computer assisted design and three-dimensional printing at the point-of-care to allow for wound stabilization in the setting of hemifacial necrotizing fasciitis. We also describe the process and implementation of the United States Food and Drug Administration Expanded Access for Medical Devices Emergency Use mechanism.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 58-year-old female presented with necrotizing fasciitis of the neck and hemiface. After multiple debridements, she remained critically ill with poor vascularity of tissue in the wound bed and no evidence of healthy granulation tissue and concern for additional breakdown towards the right orbit, mediastinum, and pretracheal soft tissues, precluding tracheostomy placement despite prolonged intubation. A negative pressure wound vacuum was considered for improved healing, but proximity to the eye raised concern for vision loss due to traction injury. As a solution, under the Food and Drug Administration's Expanded Access for Medical Devices Emergency Use mechanism, we designed a three-dimensional printed, patient-specific silicone wound splint from a CT scan, allowing the wound vacuum to be secured to the splint rather than the eyelid. After 5 days of splint-assisted vacuum therapy, the wound bed stabilized with no residual purulence and developed healthy granulation tissue, without injury to the eye or lower lid. With continued vacuum therapy, the wound contracted to allow for safe tracheostomy placement, ventilator liberation, oral intake, and hemifacial reconstruction with a myofascial pectoralis muscle flap and a paramedian forehead flap 1 month later. She was eventually decannulated and at six-month follow-up has excellent wound healing and periorbital function.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-specific, three-dimensional printing is an innovative solution that can facilitate safe placement of negative pressure wound therapy adjacent to delicate structures. This report also demonstrates feasibility of point-of-care manufacturing of customized devices for optimizing complex wound management in the head and neck, and describes successful use of the United States Food and Drug Administration's Expanded Access for Medical Devices Emergency Use mechanism.

Surgical Experience with Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis: A Retrospective Analysis at a Single Center

Background

We analyzed our experience with descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) treatment and investigated the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for mediastinal drainage.

Methods

This retrospective analysis included patients who underwent surgical drainage for DNM at our hospital from 2005 to 2020. We analyzed patients' baseline characteristics, surgical data, and perioperative outcomes and compared them according to the mediastinal drainage approach among patients with type II DNM.

Results

Twenty-five patients (male-to-female ratio, 18:7) with a mean age of 54.0±12.9 years were enrolled in this study. The most common infection sources were pharyngeal infections (60%). Most patients had significantly increased white blood cell counts, elevated C-reactive protein levels, and decreased albumin levels on admission. The most common DNM type was type IIB (n=16, 64%), while 5 and 4 patients had types I and IIA, respectively. For mediastinal drainage, the transcervical approach was used in 15 patients and the transthoracic approach (VATS) in 10 patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 26.5±23.8 days, and the postoperative morbidity and in-hospital mortality rates were 24% and 12%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found among patients with type II DNM between the transcervical and VATS groups. However, the VATS group showed shorter mean antibiotic therapy duration, drainage duration, and hospital stay length than the transcervical group.

Conclusion

DNM manifested as severe infection requiring long-term inpatient treatment, with a mortality rate of 12%. Thus, active treatment with a multidisciplinary approach is crucial, and mediastinal drainage using VATS is considered relatively safe and effective.

Factors affecting patients with concurrent deep neck infection and aspiration pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Deep neck infection (DNI) is a life-threatening condition of the deep neck spaces with potential to obstruct the airway. Aspiration pneumonia (AP), which results from aspiration of colonized oropharyngeal or upper gastrointestinal contents, is a respiratory infection that affects the lungs, wherein the air sacs are filled with purulent fluid. The cooccurrence of these two diseases can cause severe damage to the respiratory system, leading to morbidity and mortality. However, the risk factors for concurrent DNI and AP have not yet been investigated. This study aimed to address this issue.

METHODS

A total of 561 DNI patients were enrolled in this study between June 2016 and December 2021. Among these patients, 26 had concurrent DNI and AP at the time of diagnosis. Relevant clinical variables were assessed.

RESULTS

In the univariate analysis, age > 60 years (OR = 3.593, 95% CI: 1.534-8.414, p = 0.002), C-reactive protein (OR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.001-1.008, p = 0.003), involvement of ≥3 spaces (OR = 4.969, 95% CI: 2.051-12.03, p < 0.001), and retropharyngeal space involvement (OR = 4.546, 95% CI: 1.878-11.00, p < 0.001) were significant risk factors for concurrent DNI and AP. In the multivariate analysis, age > 60 years (OR = 2.766, 95% CI: 1.142-6.696, p = 0.024) and retropharyngeal space involvement (OR = 3.006, 95% CI: 1.175-7.693, p = 0.021) were independent risk factors for concurrent DNI and AP. The group with concurrent DNI and AP had longer hospital stays (p < 0.001) and lower rates of incision and drainage (I&D) open surgery (p = 0.020) than the group with DNI alone. There were no significant differences in pathogens (p > 0.05) between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Both DNI and AP can independently compromise the airway, and the concurrence of these two conditions makes airway protection more difficult. Age > 60 years and retropharyngeal space involvement were independent risk factors for the concurrence of DNI and AP. The group with concurrent DNI and AP had longer hospital stays and lower rates of I&D open surgery than the group with DNI alone. There were no differences in DNI pathogens according to concurrent AP status.

Factors Creating a Need for Repeated Drainage of Deep Neck Infections

Deep neck infection (DNI) is associated with morbidity and mortality. Surgical incision and drainage (I&D) of DNI abscesses are essential. Refractory abscesses require repeat I&D. Few studies have assessed the risk factors associated with repeat I&D; here, we investigated such factors. In total, 605 patients with DNI were enrolled between July 2016 and February 2022. Of these patients, 107 underwent repeat I&D. Clinical variables were assessed. On univariate analysis, a high blood sugar level (odds ratio (OR) = 1.006, p < 0.001), the involvement of at least four neck spaces (OR = 15.44, p < 0.001), and mediastinitis (OR = 1.787, p = 0.040) were significant risk factors for repeat I&D. On multivariate analysis, a high blood sugar level (OR = 1.005, p < 0.001) and the involvement of at least four neck spaces (OR = 14.79, p < 0.001) were significant independent risk factors for repeat I&D. Patients who required repeat I&D had longer hospital stays and a higher tracheostomy rate than did other patients (both p < 0.05). The pathogens did not differ between patients who did and did not require repeat surgical I&D (all p > 0.05), but the rates of pathogen non-growth from blood cultures were 19.47% (97/498) in the group without a need for repeat I&D and 0.93% (1/107) in the group with such a need (p < 0.001). DNI can be fatal; a higher blood sugar level and the involvement of at least four neck spaces were independent risk factors for repeat surgical I&D. If at least four neck spaces are involved, we recommend controlling the blood sugar level after admission. We found significant differences in the length of hospital stay and the need for tracheostomy between groups who did and did not require repeat surgical I&D. Although the pathogens did not differ between the groups, pathogen non-growth from blood cultures was less common in the group with for repeat surgical I&D than in the group without such a need.

Factors Affecting Patients with Concurrent Deep Neck Infection and Lemierre's Syndrome

Deep neck infection (DNI) is a severe disease affecting the deep neck spaces, and is associated with an increased risk of airway obstruction. Lemierre’s syndrome (LS) refers to septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein after pharyngeal infection, and is linked with high morbidity and mortality. Both diseases begin with an oropharyngeal infection, and concurrence is possible. However, no studies have examined the risk factors associated with co-existence of LS and DNI. Accordingly, this study examined a patient population to investigate the risk factors associated with concurrent DNI and LS. We examined data from a total of 592 patients with DNI who were hospitalized between May 2016 and January 2022. Among these patients, 14 had concurrent DNI and LS. The relevant clinical variables were assessed. In a univariate analysis, C-reactive protein (odds ratio (OR) = 1.004, 95% CI: 1.000−1.009, p = 0.045), involvement of multiple spaces (OR = 23.12, 95% CI: 3.003−178.7, p = 0.002), involvement of the carotid space (OR = 179.6, 95% CI: 22.90−1409, p < 0.001), involvement of the posterior cervical space (OR = 42.60, 95% CI: 12.45−145.6, p < 0.001) and Fusobacterium necrophorum (F. necrophorum, OR = 288.0, 95% CI: 50.58−1639, p < 0.001) were significant risk factors for concurrent DNI and LS. In a multivariate analysis, involvement of the carotid space (OR = 94.37, 95% CI: 9.578−929.9, p < 0.001), that of the posterior cervical space (OR = 24.99, 95% CI: 2.888−216.3, p = 0.003), and F. necrophorum (OR = 156.6, 95% CI: 7.072−3469, p = 0.001) were significant independent risk factors for concurrent LS in patients with DNI. The length of hospitalization in patients with concurrent LS and DNI (27.57 ± 14.94 days) was significantly longer than that in patients with DNI alone (10.01 ± 8.26 days; p < 0.001), and the only pathogen found in significantly different levels between the two groups was F. necrophorum (p < 0.001). Involvement of the carotid space, that of the posterior cervical space and F. necrophorum were independent risk factors for the concurrence of DNI and LS. Patients with concurrent LS and DNI had longer hospitalization periods than patients with DNI alone. Furthermore, F. necrophorum was the only pathogen found in significantly different levels in DNI patients with versus those without LS.