OBJECTIVETo identify the predisposing factors of deep neck abscess and review diagnosis and treatment experience.

METHODSA respective review was conducted in 50 cases who were diagnosed as having deep neck abscess in this hospital from Jan. 1997 to Dec. 2002.

RESULTSThe causes of deep neck abscess were tooth diseases (3 cases), acute tonsillitis and laryngitis (8 cases), infection of upper respiratory tract (9 cases), foreign bodies in esophagus (14 cases), diabetes mellitus (5 cases), uncertain cause (11 cases). Among 21 cases of pus bacterial cultivation, 13 (64%) cases were positive. By different ways of drainage including neck-mediastinum incision, and use of large dosage of antibiotics, 46 six cases were cured and 4 cases died. Two died of massive hemorrhage of neck blood vessel burst, one massive hemorrhage of upper digestive tract, another infective shock.

CONCLUSIONSOnce deep neck abscess is diagnosed, early surgical drainage, appropriate use of antibiotics and control of complications and accompanying diseases are very important to improve the cure rate.