Deep neck infections in children: experience in a tertiary care center in Turkey

The aim of this study was to elucidate the clinical presentations, diagnostic clues and management of deep neck infections (DNI) in pediatric patients. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, predisposing factors, duration of symptoms before presentation, history of previous antibiotic use, duration of hospitalization, laboratory and radiographic evaluations, management, complications, and outcomes of 25 patients (19 male/6 female; mean age: 47.9±39.0 months) diagnosed with DNI were analyzed retrospectively. Retropharyngeal abscesses occurred especially in preschool children, whereas peritonsillar abscesses occurred especially in school children. Nine of 25 (36%) patients underwent surgical intervention in addition to medical therapy. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography provided additional information in half of the patients. DNIs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children who present with fever and neck mass even in the absence of more specific findings. Medical treatment can be considered an option to surgical treatment by utilizing the advantages of imaging techniques and empirical antibiotics.