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Deep Neck Space Infections

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Infections of the Ears, Nose, Throat, and Sinuses

Abstract

Deep neck space infections are medical and surgical emergencies. Failure to diagnose and treat these infections promptly may lead to complications such as carotid artery rupture, airway obstruction, systemic sepsis, and descending mediastinitis. This chapter reviews the deep fascial spaces of the neck, describes the clinical signs and symptoms of various deep neck space infections, and discusses the diagnostic workup, typical microbiology, initial empiric antibiotic choices, and optimal surgical management of these infections. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, most patients recover from these potentially life-threatening infections.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale Medical School, New Haven, CT, USA

    Heather A. Osborn

  2. Smilow Cancer Hospital, Yale New Haven Health, New Haven, CT, USA

    Heather A. Osborn

  3. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Daniel G. Deschler

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  1. Heather A. Osborn
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Marlene L. Durand

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Daniel G. Deschler

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Osborn, H.A., Deschler, D.G. (2018). Deep Neck Space Infections. In: Durand, M., Deschler, D. (eds) Infections of the Ears, Nose, Throat, and Sinuses. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74835-1_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74835-1_27

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