Clinical and epidemiological profile of deep neck space infections: A retrospective study in Hamadan, Western Iran, during 2008-2013

Background: The diagnosis of deep neck space infection (DNSI) is difficult due to lack of common clinical symptoms and signs and covering of deep seated infections by regular tissues of neck. There is no evidence of clinical and epidemiological profile of deep neck space infections in western Iran. This study was designed to analyze demographic features, clinical presentations, and outcomes of DNSIs in order to promote diagnosis, management and treatment of the disease. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out on 202 patients with the diagnosis of DNSI hospitalized in Hamadan hospitals, Iran, during 2008-2013. All parameters including demographic characteristics, geographical location, symptoms, site of infection, required interventions and treatments, and complications and outcomes were studied. Finally, the data were reported by descriptive statistics like mean ± standard deviation (SD), median for quantitative parameters, and frequency tables and percentages for qualitative parameters. Results: Among 202 patients, 58.9% (119 patients) were men. The mean age ± SD was 28.4 ± 14.7 years and ranged from 4 months to 82 years. Most admissions were in winter with 25.7% (52 patients), the majority of which came from urban background (60%). The most common site of infection was submandibular abscess (50%). Airway obstruction occurred in 11.8% of the patients as the most common complication. Two top antibiotics were metronidazole (80.8%) and penicillin G (79.8%). Surgical intervention was carried out in 82.7% of the cases. One patient died of Ludwig’s angina. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that although DNSIs have proven to be life-threatening diseases, proper diagnosis and management can effectively defeat them and provide cure without complications.