Deep neck space infections are life threatening infections of the head and neck region .Wide spread use of antibiotics has lowered the life threatening infections and also altered their clinical presentation. Rapid spread of infection from one space to another space results in increased incidence of complication.
In the present study of 130 cases of deep neck space infections,the diagnosis was established based on detailed clinical history, accurate clinical examination, laboratory investigations and radiological examination .
In 130 cases of deep neck space infections, 69% of patients were males, 31% of patients were females. Infection were common in males . Among the deep neck space infections the most common was peritonsillar abscess (33%). Remaining infections were Ludwig’s angina (25%), retropharyngeal abscess (23%), parapharyngeal abscess (9%) , submandibular abscess (3%) , parotid abscess (3%) , buccal abscess (3%), anterior visceral space abscess (3%) and deep neck space infections with acute necrotizing fasciitis (1%) .
All the cases presented with fever and most of the cases with sore throat and dysphagia. Other clinical features were odynophagia, trismus, neck pain, neck swelling, change in voice, cheek swelling and remaining features based on the spatial compartments involved.
The most common etiology for deep neck space infections was odontogenic infection followed by chronic pharyngitis. Based on the investigations most of the patients in this study were treated by incision and drainage followed by antibiotics based on culture and sensitivity of the aspirate. The most commonest organism was staphylococcus aureus followed by streptococcus pyogenes and pneumoniae. Most of the patients in this study were treated by combination of antibiotics like cefotaxime, metronidazole and garamycin followed by dental opinion . The age group most commonly involved were between 31 yrs – 40 yrs. Conservative treatment was done by culture directed antibiotics .Surgical treatment involved incision and drainage, If there are signs of impending airway obstrucion tracheostomy was performed
