Epidemiology of deep neck infection submitted to surgery in a portuguese tertiary hospital centre

• Main Author: Viana Pinto, João
• Publication Date: 2023
• Other Authors: Andrade, António, Vales, Fernando, Pinto Moura, Carla
• Format: Article
• Language: por; eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.2081
• topic: Infeção Cervical Profunda; Mediastinite; Deep Neck Infection; Mediastinitis

Objective: Assess epidemiological data and clinical predictors of mediastinitis in deep neck infections (DNI) submitted to surgery. Study Design: Retrospective observational Methods: Data analysis of every DNI patient submitted to surgery from January 2015 to December 2021 in the Otorhinolaryngology department of a tertiary hospital center. Results: A total of 165 patients with a mean age of presentation of 48,5 years were included. The most frequent etiology was odontogenic infection (51,5%) and the most involved cervical space was the submandibular space (60,6%). Furthermore, the most isolated bacteria in patients with and without mediastinitis was Streptococcus spp. Progression to mediastinitis occurred in 20 (12,1%) patients. In a multivariate analysis, a bilateral DNI location (p=0,015) and a higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (0,037) were associated with progression to mediastinitis. Conclusion: The presence of a bilateral DNI and NLR seem to be the most important clinical predictors of mediastinitis.