Review Article
Deep neck abscess in neonatal period: Case report and review of literature

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2014.01.015Get rights and content

Abstract

Deep neck abscess is very rare in neonatal period. We reported a deep neck abscess caused by methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus infection (MSSA) in a neonate. A 10-day male infant was admitted to our neonatal unit with the complaints of fever, irritability, and refused to food intake. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed as an abscess in the neck. Needle aspiration from abscess revealed pus. Antibiotics and drainage were applied. We also reviewed the neonatal deep neck abscess reported in English literature and clinical presentation, risk factors, causing microorganisms, treatment, complication and outcome of deep neck abscesses were discussed.

Introduction

A deep neck abscess is defined as a collection of pus in the facial planes and spaces of the head and neck and it can lead to life-threatening complications. Deep neck abscesses are rare in neonatal period [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16]. Herein, we describe a deep neck abscess, presented as neonatal sepsis, caused by methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) in a neonate. In addition, cases with deep neck abscess reported in the neonatal period in English literature were reviewed.

Section snippets

Case report

A 10-day male neonate was referred to our unit with the complaints of fever, irritability, and poor feeding. The infant was born by vaginal delivery after 40 weeks of pregnancy with 3.330 g birth weight. There was no history of birth trauma and invasive procedure. At admission, physical examination revealed the fever: 40.2 °C, heart rate: 186 bpm, respiratory rate: 68 bpm, capillary refill time 4 s, cutis marmoratus, mild jaundice, and the other physical examination findings were normal. The chest

Discussion

In this manuscript, we report a newborn with deep neck abscesses caused by MSSA infection successfully managed with antibiotics and drainage. In addition, neonatal cases with deep neck abscess reported in English literature were reviewed and clinical presentation, risk factors, causing microorganisms, treatment, complication and outcome of deep neck abscesses were discussed (Table 1).

Although antibiotics therapy has reduced the incidence of deep neck abscess, it remains an important clinical

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