Predictive factors for malignant neoplasms veiled in deep neck infections

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Infectious Diseases
• Diagnostic Medicine

Background:

• Head and neck malignant neoplasms (MNs) can be concealed within deep neck infections (DNIs).
• Emergency treatment for DNIs may delay the diagnosis of underlying MNs.
• Identifying predictive factors for MNs in DNIs is crucial for timely diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify predictive factors for delayed diagnosis of MNs in patients presenting with DNIs.
• To improve early detection rates of head and neck cancers associated with DNIs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of data from 83 patients diagnosed with DNIs.
• Statistical analysis to identify significant associations between clinical factors and hidden MNs.
• Evaluation of platelet-to-albumin ratio (PAR) and characteristics of cervical lymphadenopathy.

Main Results:

• Four patients (4.8%) with DNIs were found to have underlying head and neck MNs.
• A platelet-to-albumin ratio (PAR) ≥ 98.9 × 10³ was significantly associated with hidden MNs (p=0.0481).
• Cervical lymphadenopathy, particularly multiple nodes and excluding abscesses, was more prevalent in patients with hidden MNs (p=0.0142, p=0.0023).

Conclusions:

• The easily measurable platelet-to-albumin ratio (PAR) is a potential predictive factor for hidden MNs in DNIs.
• Cervical lymphadenopathy characteristics can also indicate the presence of underlying malignancy.
• Fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes may aid in diagnosing hidden MNs within DNIs.