Abstract
The incidence and mortality of deep neck infections have decreased in recent years following the development of strong antibacterial antibiotics. However, severe deep neck infections may develop in patients with collagen diseases, diabetes mellitus, or immunodeficiency, or during long-term steroid therapy, etc. We have recently treated a patient with deep neck infection which advanced rapidly to mediastinitis. He was saved by thoracotomy and drainage, etc. We describe the findings, the probable cause and route of infection, the pathology and treatment, in addition we review the literature briefly.
