OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy and usefulness of computed tomography (CT) in diagnosis and management of lateral and deep neck infections METHODS: An 11-year retrospective review of 110 children (age range 1 months to 17 years) was conducted at a tertiary care children's hospital. RESULTS: Fifteen patients treated medically (8 with cellulitis, 7 with early abscess) improved. Of the remaining 95 patients who had 107 cervical sites drained surgically, CT predicted accurately operative findings in 81 (76%) cases (72 with abscess, 9 with cellulitis). In the 26 (24%) cases with discrepancy between CT interpretation and operative findings, the most common problem was differentiating early abscess from cellulitis with 18 false positives (no abscess at surgery). In 8 cases, CT diagnosis other than abscess was made (4 cellulitis, 1 inflammatory mass, 1 hematoma, 1 lymphangioma, and 1 tumour); however, when the patients were operated on because of lack of improvement, an abscess was found. CONCLUSIONS: Although CT is helpful both in determining the presence and location of neck infections in children, the CT scan is less helpful in differentiating abscess from lymphadenitis, cellulitis, and some complex cervical masses.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy and usefulness of computed tomography (CT) in diagnosis and management of lateral and deep neck infections METHODS: An 11-year retrospective review of 110 children (age range 1 months to 17 years) was conducted at a tertiary care children's hospital. RESULTS: Fifteen patients treated medically (8 with cellulitis, 7 with early abscess) improved. Of the remaining 95 patients who had 107 cervical sites drained surgically, CT predicted accurately operative findings in 81 (76%) cases (72 with abscess, 9 with cellulitis). In the 26 (24%) cases with discrepancy between CT interpretation and operative findings, the most common problem was differentiating early abscess from cellulitis with 18 false positives (no abscess at surgery). In 8 cases, CT diagnosis other than abscess was made (4 cellulitis, 1 inflammatory mass, 1 hematoma, 1 lymphangioma, and 1 tumour); however, when the patients were operated on because of lack of improvement, an abscess was found. CONCLUSIONS: Although CT is helpful both in determining the presence and location of neck infections in children, the CT scan is less helpful in differentiating abscess from lymphadenitis, cellulitis, and some complex cervical masses.
Authors: J Heikkinen; J Nurminen; J Velhonoja; H Irjala; T Soukka; T Happonen; M Nyman; K Mattila; J Hirvonen Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2021-12-16 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Jaakko Heikkinen; Viljami Jokihaka; Janne Nurminen; Ville Jussila; Jarno Velhonoja; Heikki Irjala; Tero Soukka; Tatu Happonen; Jorma Järnstedt; Mikko Nyman; Kimmo Mattila; Jussi Hirvonen Journal: Oral Radiol Date: 2022-08-09 Impact factor: 1.882
Authors: Susanna Esposito; Claudia De Guido; Marco Pappalardo; Serena Laudisio; Giuseppe Meccariello; Gaia Capoferri; Sofia Rahman; Claudio Vicini; Nicola Principi Journal: Children (Basel) Date: 2022-04-26
Authors: Janne Nurminen; Jaakko Heikkinen; Tatu Happonen; Jarno Velhonoja; Heikki Irjala; Tero Soukka; Lauri Ivaska; Kimmo Mattila; Jussi Hirvonen Journal: Pediatr Radiol Date: 2022-02-20
Authors: Jaakko Heikkinen; Janne Nurminen; Jarno Velhonoja; Heikki Irjala; Tatu Happonen; Tero Soukka; Kimmo Mattila; Jussi Hirvonen Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2021-07-30 Impact factor: 5.315