Extracranial head and neck infections

Crit Care Clin. 2013 Jul;29(3):443-63. doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2013.03.003.

Abstract

This article outlines infections in the submandibular, lateral pharyngeal, retropharyngeal, danger, and prevertebral spaces, in conjunction with infections of the sinuses and mediastinum. By understanding the anatomy and pathophysiology, the reader will gain insight into the rationale for various therapeutic options.

Keywords: Danger space infection; Lateral pharyngeal space infection; Ludwig angina; Mediastinitis; Prevertebral space infection; Retropharyngeal space infection; Sinusitis; Submandibular space infection.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / etiology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacterial Infections* / complications
  • Bacterial Infections* / microbiology
  • Bacterial Infections* / therapy
  • Cardiac Tamponade / etiology
  • Drainage / methods
  • Empyema, Pleural / etiology
  • Focal Infection / complications
  • Focal Infection / microbiology
  • Focal Infection / therapy
  • Head / microbiology*
  • Head / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / methods
  • Mediastinal Diseases / etiology
  • Neck / microbiology*
  • Neck / physiopathology
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Pharyngeal Diseases / etiology
  • Pneumonia, Aspiration / etiology
  • Sinusitis / complications
  • Sinusitis / microbiology
  • Sinusitis / therapy
  • Stomatognathic Diseases* / complications
  • Stomatognathic Diseases* / microbiology
  • Stomatognathic Diseases* / physiopathology
  • Stomatognathic Diseases* / therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents