MICROBIOLOGY AND ANTIBIOTIC-TREATMENT OF HEAD AND NECK ABSCESSES IN CHILDREN

The clinical data, microbiological results and antibiotic treatment of 65 children who have required incision and drainage of suppurative he ad and neck abscesses was retrospectively investigated with the aim of developing a more effective clinical protocol of treatment, improving speed of resolution and rationalizing the need for surgical intervent ion. A positive culture grew in 78% of children and of these 45% were Staphylococcus aureus, 9% Streptococcus pyogenes, and 8% atypical myco bacteria. Only 3% of the samples grew anaerobes. All isolates of S. au reus were sensitive to Flucloxacillin and all isolates of S. pyogenes were sensitive to penicillin, All anaerobes were Metronidazole sensiti ve. In 40% of the children there were no localizing symptoms which cou ld guide the treatment. therefore we recommend Flucloxacillin and Metr onidazole as the antibiotic regimen of choice in acute suppurative lym phadenitis. The increasing incidence of atypical mycobacterial lymphad enitis is noteworthy.