Predisposing factors of complicated deep neck infection: an analysis of 158 cases

Both the introduction of antibiotics and improvements in oral hygiene have made deep neck infections occur less frequently today than in the past. Nevertheless, the complications from these infections are often life-threatening. The purpose of this article was to review the clinical findings of deep neck infections and identify the predisposing factors of these complications. The present study reviewed 158 cases of deep neck infections between the years of 1995 to 2004, 23 of which had life-threatening complications. Cases were excluded if they had peritonsillar abscesses, superficial infections, infections related to external neck wounds, or head and neck tumors. The authors used multiple linear regression and the logistic regression analysis in order to determine the clinical parameters that are associated with longer hospitalizations and complicated deep neck infections, respectively. The multiple linear regression showed that patients with a large number of involved spaces, diabetes mellitus, and complications required longer hospitalizations (p < 0.05). The logistic regression showed that patients with more than two involved spaces were more likely to have complicated deep neck infections (p < 0.05). Patients with odontogenic causes had negative correlation (p < 0.05). We recommend that high-risk groups, such as diabetic patients and/or patients with more than two involved spaces, should be more closely monitored throughout their hospitalization.