Paediatric Deep Neck Infection-The Risk of Needing Intensive Care

Vojtech Perina¹, David Szaraz¹, Hana Harazim^{2

3}, Milan Urik⁴, Eva Klabusayova^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Jihlavska 20, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
² Department of Paediatric Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
³ Department of Simulation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
⁴ Department of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Cernopolni 9, 662 63 Brno, Czech Republic.

PMID: 35883963
PMCID: PMC9315740
DOI: 10.3390/children9070979

Review

Paediatric Deep Neck Infection-The Risk of Needing Intensive Care

Vojtech Perina et al. Children (Basel). 2022.

. 2022 Jun 29;9(7):979.

doi: 10.3390/children9070979.

Authors

Vojtech Perina¹, David Szaraz¹, Hana Harazim^{2

3}, Milan Urik⁴, Eva Klabusayova^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Jihlavska 20, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
² Department of Paediatric Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
³ Department of Simulation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
⁴ Department of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Cernopolni 9, 662 63 Brno, Czech Republic.

PMID: 35883963
PMCID: PMC9315740
DOI: 10.3390/children9070979

Abstract

Deep neck infections are potentially dangerous complications of upper respiratory tract or odontogenic infections. The pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and potential spreading depend on the complex anatomy of the neck fascia. These infections can lead to severe pathological conditions, such as mediastinitis, sepsis, and especially airway impairment with difficult management. Because of the risk of life-threatening emergency situations and the possible impacts on the overall health status of affected children, their early recognition is of utmost importance. Torticollis, drooling, and stridor are the most common signs of advancing disease. Children presenting with these symptoms should be admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit for vital function monitoring, where the airway could be readily secured if function is compromised.

Keywords: airway management; anatomy; children; complications; deep neck infection; intensive care; paediatric.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Paediatric Deep Neck Infection-The Risk of Needing Intensive Care

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Paediatric Deep Neck Infection-The Risk of Needing Intensive Care

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