Conservative management of deep neck abscesses in adults: the importance of CECT findings.
OBJECTIVE
To review cases of DNAs with special emphasis on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) findings and their implications for treatment planning.


METHODS
Retrospective evaluation of adult patient records with diagnosis of DNAs on CECT at Treviso Regional Hospital.


RESULTS
Eighty patients were identified. In 30.0% of cases, an immediate surgical drainage was performed. In 22.5% of cases, a surgical drainage was necessary because of the lack of clinical response to medical therapy alone. Almost half of the patients were treated with antibiotics alone with complete remission. DM was predictive for lack of response to medical therapy alone (P=0.014). Intraoperative findings confirmed the CECT diagnosis in 88.1%.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the mainstay of treatment for deep neck abscesses remains surgical drainage, small abscesses can respond to antibiotics alone. CECT monitoring of DNAs was the essential steps in choosing the more appropriate treatment and, probably, the basis for the good prognosis of patients.
Boscolo-Rizzo
Paolo
P
ENT Department, University of Padua, Treviso Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy. paolo.boscolorizzo@unipd.it
Marchiori
Carlo
C
Zanetti
Federica
F
Vaglia
Alberto
A
Da Mosto
Maria Cristina
MC
D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D003287:Contrast Media; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media