US-GUIDED DRAINAGE OF DEEP NECK SPACE ABSCESS

Infection of oropharyngeal or upper airway origin may extend to potent ial spaces formed by fascial planes of the cervical area. These space infections have been greatly reduced by modern antibiotic therapy. How ever, serious complications continue to occur. An 18-year-old man who presented with neck mass was admitted and treated. He underwent ultras onically guided drainage procedure using Percuflex(R) drainage cathete r within 6 h of his arrival. He was discharged from the hospital 10 da ys later. Although it is still thought that early open surgical draina ge is the most appropriate method for treatment of deep cervical absce ss, early treatment with a drainage catheter such as Percuflex(R) may replace surgery. Life threatening complications can thus be avoided wi th good cosmetic results and rapid recovery.