title: Deep neck infections in children.
abstract: From December 1989 through 1998, a total of 68 children with deep neck infection were enrolled into this study. The mean age was 5.9 years (range, 1 month-15.8 years). Infections in the retropharyngeal space (36.7%) were most common, followed by parapharyngeal space (30.8%), peritonsillar space (20.6%), and submandibular space (11.9%). Fever, neck pain, and swelling were the most frequent symptoms. The most common pathogens were viridans streptococci (41%, 16/39) and Staphylococcus aureus (26%, 10/39). Other isolates included Prevotella spp., Veillonella spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Morganella spp., and Enterobacter spp. Mixed infection was found in 46% (18/39) of patients. The mean duration of hospitalization was 12.4 days (range, 2-45 days). Complete resolution was achieved in 61 (89.7%) children. Complications occurred in 7 patients, including recurrence, mediastinal spread, bacteremia, and suppurative thyroiditis; the patient with mediastinal spread plus bacteremia died. Five patients had congenital cyst and 4 of them had complications or recurrence/relapse. In conclusion, infections in the retropharyngeal space and polymicrobial infections were most common in deep neck infection of Taiwan children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: T Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D009333:Neck; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000382:microbiology; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents