title: Head and neck cancers masquerading as deep neck abscesses.
abstract: Deep neck space abscesses are common otolaryngological emergencies, and prompt incision and drainage is the treatment of choice. Head and neck cancers often present with cervical metastases that may become secondarily infected. Clinical presentation is similar to a deep neck abscess. Surgical drainage of such collections has implications on subsequent treatment. In this case series, we describe six cases with this unusual presentation that were subsequently found to have a head and neck malignancy, and where three patients had their abscesses treated surgically. We aim to raise awareness of this unusual presentation of a head and neck carcinoma, and to avoid a potential pitfall in the management of deep neck abscess.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore. rene_soon@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Sue Rene
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Soon
authors.forename: Jeevendra
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kanagalingam
authors.forename: Shirish
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johari
authors.forename: Heng Wai
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Yuen
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed