Abstract
Thirty-five cases of deep neck abscess were evaluated (three recently encountered and 32 reported in the literature). The presence of mediastinal abscess, gas-forming infection, and chronic liver failure were associated with death. Diabetes only slightly affected the outcome. In seven of 15 patients with mediastinal abscess as a complication, the abscess was confirmed by chest X-ray examination and CT scan within seven days of the development of inflammatory symptoms in the pharynx. CT was indispensable for the diagnosis, and the survival rate was higher after thoracotomy than after mediastinal drainage.
