OBJECTIVEThis study observed the curative effect of sustained negative pressure drainage application on treatment of severe maxillofacial and neck space infection.

METHODSIncision and drainage were performed to treat 18 patients with severe maxillofacial and neck space infection. A small incision was made on the site of the most obvious swelling or fluctuations, and localized negative pressure was applied with a drainage device on the wound during suturing.

RESULTSAmong the 18 patients, 14 were healed, whereas 4 underwent dehiscence of the wound after the operation. Negative pressure was lost as the drainage tubes were removed, and non-negative pressure drainage method was used instead. During the negative pressure treatment, swelling and pain did not increase after the operation. Other complications, such as asphyxia, septic shock, or mediastinal abscess, did not occur. All the patients were healed and eventually discharged from the hospital.

CONCLUSIONSustained negative pressure drainage, which is a modified version of the traditional method of incision and drainage, is an alternative treatment for severe maxillofacial and neck space infection. Such treatment reduces patient pain and eases doctor exertion. Thus, this method provides a new therapeutic strategy for severe maxillofacial and neck space infection.

Abscess ; Drainage ; Humans ; Neck ; microbiology

Abscess ; microbiology ; therapy ; Cellulitis ; Humans ; Nasal Septum ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical character, diagnosis and treatment of badly necrotic pyogenic infection in cervical part with pneumatosis of vomica.

METHODSThe clinical character, diagnosis and treatment of badly necrotic pyogenic infection in cervical part with pneumatosis of vomica of 46 cases were investigated retrospectively.

RESULTSLateral and bilateral neck infection cases were 38 and 8 respectively. 30 cases formed primary pyogenic infection in cervical part with pneumatosis of vomica, and 16 did from adjacent sites. Besides the characters of the acute infection, gas storage in deep cervical part abscess was notable. CT and B Ultrasonic examination provided useful informations such as sizes, shapes, capacity, extents of abscess and the relationship between the abscess and vessel or vital organ. Diagnosis puncture and germiculture were performed before and after operation. The results showed that 25 of 46 cases were infected by staphylococcus or streptococcus, and 21 cases did by other bacterium. Exploration and drainage treatments were performed. All cases were cured except 2 died.

CONCLUSIONDiagnostic puncture, CT and/or B Ultrasonic examination are essential for diagnosis and presurgical planning. Germiculture provides reliable evidence for finding pathogeny and therapy. The most possibilities of pyogenic infection with pneumatosis of vomica in cervical part are the action of aerogenic bacterium, infection both in cervical part and chest or swallowing movement of pharynx.

Abscess ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; therapy ; Cysts ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Neck ; pathology ; Necrosis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; therapy

Abscess ; microbiology ; Adolescent ; Humans ; Leg ; Lemierre Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; Male

Non-typhoidal salmonellosis, which is increasing nowadays in Korea as well as in the developed countries, is manifested as enteritis in most cases, but it also encompasses bacteremia, intraabdominal infections, and bone, joint and soft tissue infections. These rare diseases are known to result from primary gastrointestinal infection and subsequent bacteremia with or without symptoms. We experienced a case of neck abscess caused by Salmonella serotype D, which is a rare but important differential diagnosis of neck abscess. We herein report it.
Abscess/*diagnosis/*microbiology ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; *Liver Cirrhosis ; Neck/*microbiology/*pathology ; Salmonella/*physiology ; Salmonella Infections/*complications

The clinical spectrum of infections caused by non-typhoid Salmonella spp. includes gastroenteritis, enteric fever, bacteremia, and extraintestinal localized complications, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Here we report a patient with severe aplastic anemia developing left iliopsoas abscess caused by non-typhoid Salmonella (NTS), which was successfully treated by prolonged antibiotic treatment and repeated debridement. Our data indicate that aplastic anemia is a risk factor for infection caused by NTS.
Anemia, Aplastic/*complications/microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psoas Abscess/*etiology/*microbiology ; Salmonella Infections/*complications

Human brucellosis has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, which includes endocarditis, a focal complication that is uncommon yet responsible for the majority of associated deaths. The most successful treatment outcomes of Brucella endocarditis have been reported with usage of both antimicrobial agents and surgery. However, there are few reports on the treatment of Brucella endocarditis using antibiotics only. We report the first case in Korea of Brucella endocarditis with aortic valve vegetations and an accompanying splenic abscess, which were treated successfully with antibiotic therapy alone.
Abscess/*microbiology ; Animals ; Aortic Valve/microbiology ; *Brucella abortus ; Brucellosis/*diagnosis ; Cattle ; Dairying ; Endocarditis/*microbiology ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases/*microbiology ; Spleen/microbiology ; Zoonoses

Mural endocarditis causing myocardial abscess without valvular involvement is very rare. We report an unusual case of left atrial auricular abscess which was successfully treated by surgical resection, treatment with antibiotics, and mediastinal irrigation. A 9-yr-old female patient with previous history of urinary tract infection was admitted because of persistent fever. Echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed massive pericardial effusion and a mass lesion at the left upper cardiac border. Pericardiocentesis isolated Staphylococcus aureus on culture. The patient underwent mass removal under cardiopulmonary bypass. The mass was located in the left atrial auricle with fibropurulent abscess formation inside. Postoperative mediastinal irrigation was performed using povidone iodine solution. Pathological examination of the mass showed organized thrombi with chronic fibrosing mural endocarditis.
Abscess/microbiology/pathology/*surgery ; Child ; Endocarditis/microbiology/pathology/*surgery ; Female ; Heart Atria/microbiology/pathology ; Human ; Staphylococcal Infections/pathology/*surgery

This article reports the treatment of a patient suffering from full-thickness electric burn of skull combined with cerebral contusion and intracranial infection to provide experience in treating such patients. Based on detailed analysis on patient's condition and CT results, several operations of surgery and anti-infection treatment were performed on the patient. The wounds healed 6 weeks after injury. The skull defect was repaired with three-dimensionally reconstructed titanium mesh of computer-aided design two years after wound healing. The treatment of full-thickness electric burn of skull combined with cerebral contusion was quite difficult. The timing and mode of operation were very important. Perioperative prevention and treatment of intracranial infection were essential to save the life of the patient. In the event of intracranial infection, effective systemic use of antibiotics, cerebrospinal fluid drainage, intrathecal injection of drugs, and the application of other comprehensive measures could ensure the success of treatment.
Adult ; Brain Abscess ; microbiology ; therapy ; Brain Injuries ; microbiology ; therapy ; Burns, Electric ; microbiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Infection ; therapy ; Male ; Skull ; injuries

Facet joint injection is considered to be a safe procedure. There have been some reported cases of facet joint pyogenic infection and also 3 cases of facet joint infection spreading to paraspinal muscle and epidural space due to intra-articular injections. To the author's knowledge, paraspinal and epidural abscesses after facet joint injection without facet joint pyogenic infection have not been reported. Here we report a case in which extra-articular facet joint injection resulted in paraspinal and epidural abscesses without facet joint infection. A 50-year-old man presenting with acute back pain and fever was admitted to the hospital. He had the history of diabetes mellitus and had undergone the extra-articular facet joint injection due to a facet joint syndrome diagnosis at a private clinic 5 days earlier. Physical examination showed tenderness over the paraspinal region. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) demonstrated the paraspinal abscess around the fourth and fifth spinous processes with an additional epidural abscess compressing the thecal sac. The facet joints were preserved. The laboratory results showed a white blood cell count of 14.9x10(9) per liter, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 52mm/hour, and 10.88mg/dL of C-reactive protein. Laminectomy and drainage were performed. The pus was found in the paraspinal muscles, which was communicated with the epidural space through a hole in the ligamentum flavum. Cultures grew Staphylococcus aureus. Paraspinal abscess communicated with epidural abscess is a rare complication of extra-articular facet joint injection demonstrating an abscess formation after an invasive procedure near the spine is highly possible.
Abscess/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Epidural Abscess/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Humans ; Injections, Spinal/*adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Staphylococcal Infections/*diagnosis ; *Zygapophyseal Joint/microbiology/pathology