1995 Volume 1995 Issue Supplement78 Pages 179-182
Deep cervical abscess is an infection which develops widely in the interfascial gaps of the cervical area, and it sometimes causes serious problems.
This is a report of 4 patients with gas-for ming deep cervical abscess, whose ages ranged from 29-59 years old. One of them was a diabetic. Causes of infection were dental caries in 3 and a fish bone stuck in the hypopharynx in 1. Abscess formation occurred within 3-11 days after pain developed. In 2 patients, phlogogenic organisms were determined. CT scans depicted gas-formations in all patients, and these images were quite useful in diagnosing deep cervical abscess.
In treatment, clindamycin (CLDM) was administered. Two patients concomitantly received large penicillin G (PCG) doses. All patients underwent surgery for incision drainage at a relatively early stage of the disease. Their courses as well as prognose were favorable.
In conclusion, physicians should confirm gas and abscess formation early using image diagnoses, even for patients with mild symptoms, and administration of appropriate antibiotics and incision drainage during the early disese stage are important for a good prognosis.
