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Diagnosis and Management Decisions in Infections of the Deep Fascial Spaces of the Head and Neck Utilizing Computerized Tomography
Author(s) -
Endicott James N.,
Nelson Robert J.,
Saraceno Carmelo A.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.1982.92.6.630
Subject(s) - medicine , head and neck , cellulitis , abscess , incision and drainage , radiology , computed tomography , surgery
Infections of the deep spaces of the head and neck may still result in major consequences despite the advent of antibiotics. Abscesses in these areas merit special consideration by today's head and neck surgeon because of their relative rarity and the life‐threatening complications that may follow inadequate treatment. Diagnosis and management decisions are enhanced by use of computerized tomography (CT) as an adjunctive study. The EMI scan may demonstrate either cellulitis of the neck requiring no surgery or a space abscess displacing the adjacent structures thus requiring surgical drainage. Anatomy of the significant fascial planes and spaces of the neck will be reviewed employing CT utilizing 3 mm cuts. Specific case presentations feature early diagnosis and management.