Abscesses of the Neck in Infants and Young Children a Review of 112 Cases

A review of 112 patients 5 years of age and younger with cervical abscesses is reported. Staphylococcus aureus and group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus were cultured most often: In 39% and 17% of patients, respectively. Sixteen patients (14%) had unusual abscesses such as infected congenital cysts, cat-scratch disease, or mycobacterial abscesses. One patient had a necrotizing infection with group A streptococci and anaerobic streptococci. Intravenous antibiotic therapy was used in 104 patients, with 94% of these patients receiving a penicillin derivative, usually an antistaphylococcal penicillin. Ninety-six percent of the patients had incision and drainage of their abscesses; 8 patients required more than one incision and drainage. Two patients required airway intervention, 1 by intubation and 1 by tracheotomy. Most pediatric cervical abscesses respond well to appropriate intravenous antibiotic therapy and incision and drainage.