- Abstract -

Despite the use of antibiotics, infections of the deep spaces of the neck continue to have the potential for serious and even life threating complication.
Delay in diagnosis or worse, a missed diagnosis, can lead to severe consequences incuding mediastinitis and death.

The aim is to intervene aggressively, both medically and surgically, prior to the onset of complications.

Once abscess formation occurs, surgery is still considered the main treatment.
 

Key words: neck infection, complications, abcess, sugery, treatment.