title: Extracranial head and neck infections.
abstract: This article outlines infections in the submandibular, lateral pharyngeal, retropharyngeal, danger, and prevertebral spaces, in conjunction with infections of the sinuses and mediastinum. By understanding the anatomy and pathophysiology, the reader will gain insight into the rationale for various therapeutic options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, 10th Floor, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jaworsky
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Anthony W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Chow
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000209:etiology; D005490:Focal Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D006257:Head / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009333:Neck / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D009057:Stomatognathic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Danger space infection; Lateral pharyngeal space infection; Ludwig angina; Mediastinitis; Prevertebral space infection; Retropharyngeal space infection; Sinusitis; Submandibular space infection