title: Life-threatening infections of the peripharyngeal and deep fascial spaces of the head and neck.
abstract: This article reviews life-threatening infections of the head and neck. It discusses the anatomic boundaries, pathophysiologic processes, clinical manifestations, potential complications, and suggested therapies of infections of the submandibular, lateral pharyngeal, retropharyngeal, prevertebral, and danger spaces.
authors.affiliation: Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Hospital, ICU2, JPPN 2nd Floor, Room 2438, 855 West 12th Ave., Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada.
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Anthony W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Chow
mesh_terms: D005205:Fascia / Q000382:microbiology*; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D009333:Neck / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000382:microbiology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology*