[Adenophlegmons of the neck area. A case report and review of the literature].
Adenopathies in general and cervicofacial adenopathies in particular are a pathology that can affect both medical and surgical disciplines. They may be found in both acute and chronic disorders, in children and in adults, and in local or systemic forms with benign or malignant pathogenesis. It is clear that the differential diagnosis and consequently the therapeutic approach may be complicated at times by the variety of pathological processes. Interest in the case reported her is, in our opinion, justified by the rare finding in the age of antibiotics of such striking symptoms. The severity of local symptoms and the general conditions of the patient resulted in the need for surgery under anesthesia in order to enable the extensive collection of purulent matter to be drained. The postoperative course showed a marked and progressive improvement of the patient's general and local conditions, even a few hours after surgery. Given that several factors contribute to determining the evolution of septic conditions (patient's general and in particular immunological status) and given that, owing to the aspecific nature of symptoms, the diagnosis and relative specific therapy may be delayed, it can be seen that the clinical picture may evolve and be complicated by massive general manifestations, sufficient in extreme cases to endanger the patient's life, in the form of acute and sudden respiratory disorders and or more gradually with generalised septic conditions (encephalitis, mediastinitis and generalised sepsis). The objective to be attained is therefore a careful diagnosis and the immediate implementation of medical procedures in order to remove the cause that has triggered off the pathology.
Solazzo
L
L
Divisione di Chirurgia Maxillo-Facciale, Università degli Studi, Torino.
De Gioanni
P P
PP
Madaro
E
E
Berrone
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004322:Drainage; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D009333:Neck
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents