Deep neck space infection e A retrospective study of 270 cases at tertiary care center

Objective:To review the clinical findings in deep neck infections and identification predisposing factors of these complications. Methods:In this study, 270 patients with deep neck infections were studied retrospectively, study conducted in the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Govern-ment Medical College, Nanded, Maharashtra, India, from March 2013 to March 2016. Results:Analysis showed that males are most likely to have deep neck space infections (DNSI). Odontogenic and tonsillar causes were the more frequent ones. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species were the microorganisms more commonly isolated. Conclusion:DNSI remains a common and challenging disease for otorhinolaryngologists, and should be treated on emergency basis. In developing countries, lack of adequate nutrition, poor oral hygiene, tobacco chewing, smoking and beetle nut chewing has led to an increased prevalence of dental and periodontal diseases. In present study, Odontogenic infections were the most common etiological factor for DNSI.

Magnetic resonance imaging of disc space infection revisited： temporal changes

Background Magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） has advantages in showing pathologic changes of disc space infection,which is important in clinical treatment.The purpose of this study was to describe the MRI findings of disc space infections in relation to chronicity.Methods MRI of 60 patients from January 1,2002 to April 30,2012 in Ottawa Hospital were retrospectively evaluated by two radiologists blindly.All patients had histological confirmation,with 55 having microbiological confirmation as well.These patients were divided into acute （n=18）,subacute （n=21） and chronic （n=21） based on histological findings.The following potential signs of MRI finding were assessed：marrow edema,endplate erosions,disk fluid and height change,paraspinal mass,epidural collection,facet fluid and enhancement in the marrow,disc,paraspinal mass,and epidural involvement.Statistical analysis consisted of t-or F-tests and chi-square test.Results In the 60 patients,83 infected discs （single disc in 45 patients,2-4 discs in 15 patients） were found,including 22 discs in the acute group,30 discs in the subacute group,and 31 discs in the chronic group.There was a significant difference in the extent of marrow edema between the acute,subacute and chronic groups （P ＜0.05）,with a gradually increasing extent from acute to chronic.The extent of endplate erosions increased with chronicity,but was not statistically significant.There were significant differences in the disc fluid,epidural collection,and disc enhancement among the acute,subacute and chronic groups,as well as the facet fluid between acute and chronic groups （P ＜0.05）.There were no significant differences in the present probability of disc height loss,paraspinal mass,and marrow enhancement among the three groups （P ＞0.05）.Conclusions From acute to chronic infections,the extent of marrow edema and endplate erosions appeared to gradually increase.Epidural collections and facet fluid are most frequently found in the acute group,while disc fluid and disc enhancement are more common in the chronic patients.