Ms. Quraishi et al., ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN THE EVALUATION OF NECK ABSCESSES IN CHILDREN, Clinical otolaryngology and allied sciences, 22(1), 1997, pp. 30-33
A prospective study evaluating the benefits of preoperative ultrasonog
raphy of paediatric neck abscesses is presented. Twenty-three consecut
ive children who presented with suspected neck abscesses to the Accide
nt and Emergency Department at the Temple Street Children's Hospital b
etween 1990 and 1992 have been evaluated prospectively. On admission,
ultrasonography showed a collection of pus in 11 children and these un
derwent incision and drainage. The other 12 had intravenous antibiotic
s. Six of these remained pyrexial and had a repeal ultrasound after 72
h revealing pus which was drained. The remaining were managed success
fully with medical treatment. In this study there were no negative sur
gical interventions and we recommend ultrasonography for preoperative
evaluation of children with suspected inflammatory neck abscesses.