OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between neck abscess characteristics on computerized tomography (CT) scan and surgical drainage in pediatric patients. METHODS: Retrospective data warehouse review identified 43 children younger than 19 years admitted to a tertiary care pediatric hospital during the first quarters of 2000 through 2003 who underwent CT imaging for suspicion of head and neck abscesses involving the neck; face; and peritonsillar, retropharyngeal, and parapharyngeal spaces. A total of 45 scans were graded by a radiologist blinded to management. Thickness of the prevertebral soft tissue; location, dimensions, and degree of enhancement of the abscess; patient age; steroid and preadmission antibiotic use; and surgical intervention were recorded. RESULTS: Surgical drainage was performed in 32 of 43 patients (74%). We found no significant correlation between prevertebral soft tissue thickness, abscess dimensions or enhancement on CT scan, and surgical drainage. There was no significant association between surgical drainage and patient age, administration of steroids, or preadmission antibiotic use. CONCLUSIONS: Neck abscess appearance on CT scan did not predict surgical drainage, although prevertebral soft tissue thickness and abscess dimensions may be important features. Abscess enhancement, patient age, and the use of steroids and prehospitalization antibiotics were not found to correlate with surgical drainage.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between neck abscess characteristics on computerized tomography (CT) scan and surgical drainage in pediatric patients. METHODS: Retrospective data warehouse review identified 43 children younger than 19 years admitted to a tertiary care pediatric hospital during the first quarters of 2000 through 2003 who underwent CT imaging for suspicion of head and neck abscesses involving the neck; face; and peritonsillar, retropharyngeal, and parapharyngeal spaces. A total of 45 scans were graded by a radiologist blinded to management. Thickness of the prevertebral soft tissue; location, dimensions, and degree of enhancement of the abscess; patient age; steroid and preadmission antibiotic use; and surgical intervention were recorded. RESULTS: Surgical drainage was performed in 32 of 43 patients (74%). We found no significant correlation between prevertebral soft tissue thickness, abscess dimensions or enhancement on CT scan, and surgical drainage. There was no significant association between surgical drainage and patient age, administration of steroids, or preadmission antibiotic use. CONCLUSIONS: Neck abscess appearance on CT scan did not predict surgical drainage, although prevertebral soft tissue thickness and abscess dimensions may be important features. Abscess enhancement, patient age, and the use of steroids and prehospitalization antibiotics were not found to correlate with surgical drainage.
Authors: Elizabeth M Polfer; Benjamin W Hoyt; Lien T Senchak; Mark D Murphey; Jonathan A Forsberg; Benjamin K Potter Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2014-10 Impact factor: 4.176
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