Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To understand the clinical characteristics of patients with deep neck infection (DNI), especially in an immunocompromised host. Also to analyze associated factors which were influential to multiple space involvement and complications.
METHOD
A retrospective descriptive study of 192 patients with DNI excluding peritonsillar abscess during a period of January 2004 to July 2009 was performed. The data, including demography, clinical presentation, etiology, involved fascial spaces, bacteriology, treatment and complications were reviewed. SPSS (15.0) was undertaken to analyze the data. P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
In 192 patients with DNI, there were 36 diabetic and 4 HIV infected patients considered to be immunocompromised. The only characteristic which had statistical significance (p-Value12000 /ul) (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.28-4.58) in univariate analysis. The complications were affected by host immunity and abnormal Hb level (15 g/dl) in univariate analysis, but Hb level was the only risk factor (OR 3.53; 95% CI 1.52-8.12) in multivariate analysis.
CONCLUSION
Diabetes mellitus and HIV infection were comorbidities which required clinical assessment due to potential complications. In addition, the most important investigations which should be done in a group of patients suspected of having multiple space involvement and complications are blood tests (WBC and Hb levels).