Deep neck space infections - basic facts and our experience

Deep neck infections are inflammatory disorders of the fascia-defined areas of the neck that occur from many causes, but most commonly from odontogenic etiology. This review paper is based on available information from the domestic and foreign literature and, above all, on our experience gained during many years of clinical practice. The aim of the article is to provide the reader with a structured overview of the complicated anatomy of the cervical regions, the possible causes of this inflammatory disease, its diagnosis, which is often very difficult, as well as its treatment, including the introduction of the basics of surgical revision and the most common complications, headed by acute mediastinitis. The article concludes with our experience with this -life-threat-ening inflammatory disease over a five-year period.