title: Children's deep neck infections in central Taiwan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Deep neck infection (DNI) is an uncommon but severe disease in children. Few study have been reported detailing pediatric deep neck infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 52 cases of deep neck infection at Changhua Christian Hospital over a 10-year period was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-two boys and 20 girls ranged from one month to eighteen years old were collected in the study. The most remarked symptom was neck swelling (83%). There were 48% (23/48) in right side. Two cases (3.8%) yielded a positive blood culture and fifty-three (53%) cases had positive pus culture. The most common pathogen was Streptococcus viridians (33%). There were two cases oxacillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Once a patient exhibited neck swelling, neck pain, fever and signs of airway obstruction, deep neck infection should be considered. When one was highly suspected to have deep neck infection, computed tomography of neck should be arranged for differential diagnosis.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
authors: Chung-Wen
authors: CW
authors: Yen
authors: Ching-Yuang
authors: CY
authors: Lin
authors: Lon-Yen
authors: LY
authors: Tsao
authors: Shun Cheng
authors: SC
authors: Yang
authors: Hsiao-Neng
authors: HN
authors: Chen
authors: Ming-Yuh
authors: MY
authors: Chang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology