Management of Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis, a Severe Complication of Deep Neck Infection, Based on Multidisciplinary Approaches and Departmental Co-Ordination

Objectives Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) developing after deep neck infection (DNI) is a potentially lethal disease of the mediastinum with a mortality rate as high as 40% prior to the 1990s. No standard treatment protocol is available. Here, we present the outcomes of our multidisciplinary approaches for treating DNM originating from a DNI. Methods Between June 2016 and July 2021, there were 390 patients with DNIs admitting to our tertiary hospital. A total 21 patients with DNIs complicated with DNM were enrolled. The multidisciplinary approaches included establishment of airway security, appropriate surgery and antibiotics, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and intensive care unit management. The clinical variables were analyzed. Results Two patients died and 19 survived (mortality 9.5%). The patients who died had a higher mean C-reactive protein (CRP) level than did those who survived (420.0 ± 110.3 vs 221.8 ± 100.6 mg/L) (P = .038). The most common pathogens were Streptococcus constellatus and Streptococcus anginosus. From 2001 to 2021, the average mortality rate of studies enrolling more than 10 patients was 16.1%. Conclusion Multidisciplinary approaches, early comprehensive medical treatment, and co-ordination among departments significantly reduce mortality. Patients with severe inflammation and high CRP levels require intensive and aggressive interventions.

A 10-year-old child with acute torticollis due to polymicrobial deep neck infection

Torticollis in children can be a sign of a potentially dangerous disease; the correct diagnosis is not always obvious on history and physical examination. The use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) helps to limit the differential diagnosis and direct appropriate further laboratory and radiology-performed evaluation. We present a case of a 10-year-old child whose deep neck infection (DNI) was timely diagnosed in the paediatric emergency department by early use of POCUS and drained under POCUS guidance after admission to the hospital. The culture from the fluid grew Eikenella corrodens, Streptococcus constellatus and Prevotella buccae. This case demonstrates that DNIs occur in children with acute acquired torticollis, even without fever and demonstrates the importance of early use of POCUS in cases where DNI is a potential diagnosis. Moreover, this case emphasises the importance of microbiological identification of DNIs that can be the key to successful treatment.

Factors Affecting Patients with Concurrent Deep Neck Infection and Acute Epiglottitis

Deep neck infection (DNI) is a serious disease of deep neck spaces that can lead to morbidities and mortality. Acute epiglottitis (AE) is a severe infection of the epiglottis, which can lead to airway obstruction. However, there have been no studies of risk factors in patients with concurrent DNI and AE. This study was performed to investigate this issue. A total of 502 subjects with DNI were enrolled in the study between June 2016 and August 2021. Among these patients, 30 had concurrent DNI and AE. The relevant clinical variables were assessed. In a univariate analysis, involvement of the parapharyngeal space (OR = 21.50, 95% CI: 2.905–158.7, p < 0.001) and involvement of the submandibular space (OR = 2.064, 95% CI: 0.961–4.434, p < 0.001) were significant risk factors for concurrent DNI and AE. In a multivariate analysis, involvement of the parapharyngeal space (OR = 23.69, 95% CI: 3.187–175.4, p = 0.002) and involvement of the submandibular space (OR = 2.465, 95% CI: 1.131–5.375, p < 0.023) were independent risk factors for patients with concurrent DNI and AE. There were no differences in pathogens, therapeutic managements (tracheostomy, intubation, surgical drainage), or hospital staying period between the 30 patients with concurrent DNI and AE and the 472 patients with DNI alone (all p > 0.05). However, we believe it is significant that DNI and AE are concurrent because both DNI and AE potentially cause airway obstruction, and concurrence of these two diseases make airway protection more difficult. The infections in critical spaces may cause the coincidence of these two diseases. Involvement of the parapharyngeal space and involvement of the submandibular space were independent risk factors associated with concurrent DNI and AE. There were no differences in pathogens between the concurrent DNI and AE group and the DNI alone group.

Parotid Space, a Different Space from Other Deep Neck Infection Spaces

Deep neck infections (DNIs) such as parotid abscesses are medical emergencies with a seemingly different etiology and treatment course from other DNIs. We sought to confirm this in the present retrospective population-based cohort study. Between August 2016 and January 2020, 412 patients with DNIs seen at a tertiary medical center were enrolled in this study. Infections of the parotid space were compared with those of other deep neck spaces, according to patient characteristics. All patients were divided into parotid space (PS; n = 91, 22.08%) and non-parotid space (NPS; n = 321, 77.92%) subgroups. We further divided the patients into single parotid space (PS-single; n = 50, 12.13%), single non-parotid space (NPS-single; n = 149, 36.16%), multiple parotid space (PS-multiple; n = 41, 9.95%), and multiple non-parotid space (NPS-multiple; n = 172, 41.76%) DNI subgroups. In the PS-single and PS-multiple subgroups, a longer duration of symptoms (p = 0.001), lower white blood cell count (p = 0.001), lower C-reactive protein level (p = 0.010), higher rate of ultrasonography-guided drainage (p < 0.001), and lower rates of surgical incision and drainage (p < 0.001) were observed compared with the NPS-single and NPS-multiple subgroups. The PS group had a higher positive Klebsiella pneumoniae culture rate (p < 0.001), and lower positive Streptococcus constellatus (p = 0.002), and Streptococcus anginosus (p = 0.025) culture rates than the NPS group. In a multivariate analysis, K. pneumoniae was independently associated with parotoid space involvement in comparisons of the PS and NPS groups, PS-single and NPS-single subgroups, and PS-multiple and NPS-multiple subgroups. The clinical presentation of a parotid space infection differs from that of other deep neck space infections.

1152. Microbiology of Pediatric Neck Infections Based on Age and Anatomic Location

Background Studies of pediatric neck infections demonstrate an increase in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and predominance of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in infants, and commonly polymicrobial infections. Thus, some providers treat acute neck infections with empiric broad spectrum antibiotics, often with two drugs. Our institution often uses clindamycin plus ampicillin-sulbactam as empiric therapy for hospitalized children with acute neck infection. We aimed to identify the microbiology of acute neck abscesses at our institution to determine if stratifying by age and abscess location would allow for single agent therapy. Table 1. Causative organism based on anatomic location of neck infection. Methods Diagnosis codes identified patients hospitalized with acute neck infections. Cases with underlying malignancy, cervicofacial malformations, or lymphatic malformations were excluded. Patients with surgical cultures were categorized into two groups based on anatomic location of infection: medial (retropharyngeal, parapharyngeal, and peritonsillar), lateral (other locations), or both. Within each group, causative pathogen(s) were explored and further categorized by age (infants: &lt; 1 year old; non-infants: ≥1 year old). Results 412 patients were hospitalized for acute neck infection of which 132 had surgical cultures. 110 had growth of one or more pathogens (20 infants, 90 non-infants). 53 infections were located medially, 54 laterally, and 3 had both locations involved. S. aureus was most commonly identified, with lateral infections accounting for the majority (Table 1). 40/44 S. aureus isolates were susceptible to clindamycin. Among medial infections, Streptococcus Anginosus and Group A Streptococcus were most common followed by S. aureus (Table 1). 17/20 (85%) positive cultures in infants grew S. aureus with 8/17 (47%) MRSA. No polymicrobial infections were identified in infants. Among non-infants, 0/39 lateral infections had polymicrobial growth but 23/50 (46%) of medial infections did. Conclusion Local epidemiology based on anatomic location and patient age suggests a single agent (clindamycin for lateral and penicillin with beta-lactamase inhibitor for medial) may be reasonable for non-infants with uncomplicated neck infections. For infants, coverage of MRSA, regardless of anatomic location, is advisable. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Deep Neck Infection: A Typical Presentation of Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Deep neck infection is defined as an infectious process in the potential spaces and fascial plane of the neck which may result in a fatal complication. Prompt drainage and broad-spectrum antibiotics are the mainstays of treatment. Deep neck infection as the initial presentation of primary head and neck cancer is not common. Nevertheless, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the most common primary head and neck cancer, which could present with cervical metastasis and subsequently becomes infected. Papillary thyroid cancer has a naturally indolent course, and most patients present with a thyroid nodule. However, deep neck infection could be an uncommon presentation of papillary thyroid cancer which may obscure the diagnosis of underlying malignancy. This case report aims to present a rare presentation of papillary thyroid cancer which needs meticulous evaluation. Moreover, the pathological examination should be performed in all cases of deep neck infection for early detection and management of underlying papillary thyroid cancer.

The Pathogenic Bacteria of Deep Neck Infection in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Without Diabetes from Chang Gung Research Database

Deep neck infection (DNI) is a lethal emergent condition. Patients with types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM, respectively) are predisposed to DNI and have poorer prognoses. The mainstay of the treatment is surgical drainage and antibiotics; however, the pathogenic bacteria of T1DM-DNI have not been studied before. We obtained the data of 8237 patients with DNI who were hospitalized from 2004 to 2015 from the Chang Gung Research Database, which contains multi-institutional medical records in Taiwan. Using diagnostic codes, we classified them into T1DM-DNI, T2DM-DNI, and non-DM-DNI and analyzed their pathogenic bacteria, disease severity, treatment, and prognosis. The top three facultative anaerobic or aerobic bacteria of T1DM-DNI were Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP, 40.0%), Viridans Streptococci (VS, 22.2%), and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, 8.9%), similar for T2DM (KP, 32.2%; VS, 23.3%; MSSA, 9.5%). For non-DM-DNI, it was VS (34.6%), KP (9.8%), and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (8.7%). The order of anaerobes for the three groups was Peptostreptococcus micros, Prevotella intermedia, and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius. Patients with T1DM-DNI and T2DM-DNI had higher white blood cell (WBC) counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, more cases of surgery, more cases of tracheostomy, longer hospital stays, more mediastinal complications, and higher mortality rates than those without DM-DNI. Patients in the death subgroup in T1DM-DNI had higher WBC counts, band forms, and CRP levels than those in the survival subgroup. Patients with DM-DNI had more severe disease and higher mortality rate than those without DM-DNI. KP and Peptostreptococcus micros are the leading pathogens for both patients with T1DM-DNI and those with T2DM-DNI. Clinicians should beware of high serum levels of infection markers, which indicate potential mortality.