MRI of acute neck infections: evidence summary and pictorial review

Jussi Hirvonen; Jaakko Heikkinen; Mikko Nyman; Tatu Happonen; Jarno Velhonoja; Heikki Irjala; Tero Soukka; Kimmo Mattila; Janne Nurminen

doi:10.1186/s13244-022-01347-9

MRI of acute neck infections: evidence summary and pictorial review

Insights Imaging. 2023 Jan 8;14(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s13244-022-01347-9.

Authors

Jussi Hirvonen^{1

2}, Jaakko Heikkinen³, Mikko Nyman³, Tatu Happonen³, Jarno Velhonoja⁴, Heikki Irjala⁴, Tero Soukka⁵, Kimmo Mattila³, Janne Nurminen³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. jussi.hirvonen@utu.fi.
² Medical Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Tampere University and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. jussi.hirvonen@utu.fi.
³ Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
⁴ Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
⁵ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.

Abstract

Infection of the deep neck spaces is a life-threatening acute illness that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers unsurpassed soft tissue discrimination and is therefore well suited for imaging neck infections. Recently, the feasibility, diagnostic accuracy, and clinical significance of this method have been documented in patients with acute neck infections. This review article summarizes the scientific evidence, provides a practical guide to image acquisition and interpretation, reviews the most common imaging findings, and discusses some difficult diagnoses and pitfalls in acute neck infections, to help both radiologists and clinicians in managing these critically ill patients.

Keywords: Emergency medicine; Infection; Magnetic resonance imaging; Neck.

Publication types

Review