BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the era of antibiotics, some deep neck infections can be managed by conservative treatment, but some still need surgical treatment. In this study, we discuss whether or not there are significant differences between conservative treatment group and surgical treatment group in deep neck infections. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records of 56 patients with deep neck infections from January 2005 to December 2007. Among 56 patients, 39 patients were managed by conservative treatment with antibiotics and 17 patients were managed by surgical treatment via transcervical approach with antibiotics. As for data analysis, Mann-Whitney U test was used. RESULTS: In surgical treatment group, age, duration from symptom onset to hospitalization, hospital days, incidence of underlying disease, WBC (white blood cell) count, ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C-reactive protein) were higher than the conservative treatment group. But, there was no statistical significance except hospital days, incidence of hypertension and CRP. Especially, initial CRP in conservative treatment group was 9.7 mg/dL and in surgical treatment group was 28.2 mg/dL. CONCLUSION: CRP in deep neck infection patients managed by surgical treatment via transcervical approach was about 3 times higher than patients managed by the conservative treatment only. Further study will be needed to determine the availability of CRP as a considering factor to decide the surgical treatment in deep neck infections.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; C-Reactive Protein ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies ; Statistics as Topic

Background: Exhaled condensates contain inflammatory biomarkers; however, their roles in the clinical field have been under-investigated. Methods: We prospectively enrolled subjects admitted to pulmonology clinics. We collected exhaled breath condensates (EBC) and analysed the levels of six and 12 biomarkers using conventional and multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: Among the 123 subjects, healthy controls constituted the largest group (81 participants; 65.9%), followed by the preserved ratio impaired spirometry group (21 patients; 17.1%) and the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) group (21 patients; 17.1%). In COPD patients, platelet derived growth factor-AA exhibited strong positive correlations with COPD assessment test (ρ=0.5926, p=0.0423) and COPD-specific version of St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-C) score (total, ρ=0.6725, p=0.0166; activity, ρ=0.7176, p=0.0086; and impacts, ρ=0.6151, p=0.0333). Granzyme B showed strong positive correlations with SGRQ-C score (symptoms, ρ=0.6078, p=0.0360; and impacts, ρ=0.6007, p=0.0389). Interleukin 6 exhibited a strong positive correlation with SGRQ-C score (activity, ρ=0.4671, p=0.0378). The absolute serum eosinophil and basophil counts showed positive correlations with pro-collagen I alpha 1 (ρ=0.6735, p=0.0164 and ρ=0.6295, p=0.0283, respectively). In healthy subjects, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity demonstrated significant correlation with CC chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3)/macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (ρ=0.3897 and p=0.0068). FEV1 exhibited significant correlation with CCL11/eotaxin (ρ=0.4445 and p=0.0017). Conclusion Inflammatory biomarkers in EBC might be useful to predict quality of life concerning respiratory symptoms and serologic markers. Further studies are needed.