Nonsurgical management of deep neck infections in children.

Of the 14 pediatric patients with deep neck infections hospitalized at our institution from 1981 through 1990, only 6 were managed surgically. The remaining 8 patients received antibiotic therapy and their infection resolved without the need for surgical drainage. All 8 patients were hospitalized within 4 days (mean, 1.8 days) of onset of illness. Computerized tomography of the neck was performed in 7 and revealed soft tissue swelling and a round or oval cystic lesion in the parapharyngeal region in all 7. Parenteral antibiotic therapy was administered to all patients for 2 to 9 days (mean, 5.5 days) before changing to oral therapy which was continued for 10 to 35 days (mean, 15.1 days). Clinical improvement was evident in all patients 1 to 3 days (mean, 1.6 days) after the onset of antibiotic therapy, with defervescence within 7 days (mean, 3.8 days). Follow-up computerized tomography scans were obtained in 4 patients revealing improvement in 3. It is known that patients with cellulitis of the deep neck tissues may respond well to antibiotic therapy; our experience suggests that some patients with apparent abscess formation as determined by computerized tomography scan may also respond favorably to antibiotic therapy and not require surgical drainage.