Clinical Study on Deep Neck Infection

Deep neck infection (DNI) is an emergent otolaryngologic disease. We examined 69 patients, 52 males and 17 females, with DNI, who were treated in our hospital between 1995 and 2004. The mean age of DNI patients is 50.0 years old and peak incidence is in the sixth decade. Twenty patients suffered from diabetes mellitus (DM). The primary lesion of DNI was found in the tonsils in 34 cases, the oral cavity in 16 cases, the pharynx in 12 cases, and other regions in 7 cases, respectively. Among 69 DNI patients, infection remained in the suprahyoid region in 31 cases, whereas it extended to the infrahyoid region in 33 cases and to the mediastinum in 5 cases. The titer of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and the duration of admission were considered parameters of DNI severity. CRP was significantly higher and the duration of admission was significantly longer in elderly patients, in patients with DM, and in patients with infrahyoid and mediastinal DNI, whereas no significant difference was found between males and females, and among the primary lesions. Therefore, we consider that age, DM, and the extension of DNI are important factors determining the severity of DNI. We also refer to the etiology, diagnosis, treatment and complications of DNI.