[Management of cervical cellulitis with and without mediastinal extension: report of 17 cases]

Abstract

Objectives: Cervical cellulitis is infrequent but serious. The aim of our study was to describe the way we care and to identify certain factors that promote the development of such a condition.

Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective study covering the period 2004 to 2009 and included patients with cervical cellulitis with or without mediastinal extension surgically supported by ENT department of the University Hospital of Dijon. Data were collected clinical, radiological, treatment, type of surgery and complications.

Results: Seventeen patients met our inclusion criteria, four of which had a form associated with mediastinitis. Eight patients had taken NSAIDs and/or corticosteroids and fifteen patients antibiotics before their hospitalization. All have benefited from surgery with an average of 1.35 interventions (range 1 to 3) and support postoperative resuscitation. In both cases the outcome was unfavourable.

Conclusion: The use of NSAIDs and/or corticosteroids was a factor in promoting this type of infection. In the context of surgical treatment, it does not seem necessary to surgically reoperate systematically.