Predisposing factors of complicated deep neck infections: 12-year experience at a single institution

To review our experience with deep neck infections and identify the risk factors for developing complications and prolonged hospitalization.

We analyzed the prospectively collected database of 439 patients with deep neck infections between January 1996 and July 2007 at a single institution. Their demographic data, duration of hospitalization, etiology, underlying systemic disease, bacteriologic and radiologic studies, complications, and treatment outcome were reviewed and analyzed. Patients with superficial abscess or cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, and peritonsillar abscess were excluded.

Dental infection and upper airway infection remained the two most common etiologies. Coexisting head and neck malignancy was found in eight cases. Patients with systemic diseases and a C-reactive protein value of more than 100 microg/mL tend to develop complications, resulting in prolonged hospitalization.

We should pay more attention to those patients with systemic diseases or C-reactive protein values more than 100 microg/mL. The current study represents the largest and longest analysis of deep neck infection in the available literature.