Deep Neck Space Infections in Children: Has Anything changed?

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis and management of pediatric deep neck infections (DNIs) has changed over the last three decades. Improvements in imaging techniques, antibiotics and airway management have resulted in a significant decrease in the overall morbidity and mortality.

Knowledge of clinical features of DNIs in children is important because these uncommon infections may be associated with airway compromise or complications due to involvement of contiguous vital structures. Most often, these infections are due to Gram-positive organisms but polymicrobial infections are also well described. There is no consensus on management, with some authors advocating an aggressive surgical approach and others favoring a trial of medical management prior to surgical intervention. Surgical management is often indicated in young children, large abscesses, or those complicated by extension to critical structures. Once the source of the abscess or DNI is controlled and purulent collections drained, antibiotic therapy can often be transitioned to an oral agent, provided there is evidence of clinical improvement.

How to cite this article

Kavanagh KR, Valdez TA. Deep Neck Space Infections in Children: Has Anything changed? Int J Head Neck Surg 2016;7(2):77-82.