Epidemiology and Factors Associated with Complications in Patients with Deep Neck Infection at Lampang Hospital

Sasipim Boonpeng — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Background: Deep neck infection (DNI) is a critical condition characterized by infection in the potential spaces within the deep layers of the neck. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to minimize the risk of severe and life-threatening complications.
Objective: To explore the epidemiology, complications, and factors related to complications in patients with DNI treated at Lampang Hospital.
Material and methods: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on in-patients diagnosed with DNI at the Otorhinolaryngology Department, Lampang Hospital, between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023. Data were extracted from medical records, covering demographic, clinical, and complication-related information. Regression analysis was utilized to identify factors associated with complications.
Results: A total of 267 patients were included, with a male predominance (57.3%) and a mean age of 51.9 ± 17.4 years. Neck or facial swelling (64.1%) was the leading symptom. The submandibular space was the most commonly affected site (39.0%), and dental infections were identified as the primary source (52.8%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated pathogen (7.5%). The main treatment method was surgical drainage (80.5%), followed by antimicrobial therapy alone (10.1%) and needle aspiration (9.4%). Complications occurred in 43 patients (16.1%), with septicemia being the most frequent (8.6%). There were seven fatalities (2.6%). Significant factors associated with complications were chronic kidney disease (OR 8.36, 95%CI 2.31–30.29, p=0.001), anemia (OR 3.62, 95% CI 1.05–12.44, p=0.041), dyspnea (OR 6.89, 95%CI 1.71–27.74, p=0.007), multiple space infections (OR 6.14, 95%CI 2.10–17.94, p=0.001), and retropharyngeal space infection (OR 3.77, 95%CI 1.23–11.52, p=0.020).
Conclusion: The study found a complication rate of 16.1% among DNI patients. Chronic kidney disease, anemia, dyspnea, multiple space infections, and retropharyngeal space infections were significantly associated with increased risk of complications.

Lampang Medical Journal

Epidemiology and Factors Associated with Complications in Patients with Deep Neck Infection at Lampang Hospital