Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery : official publication of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery
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J Craniomaxillofac Surg · Mar 1993
Thoracic complications of deeply situated serous neck infections.
Nine cases of complicated deep neck infections, occurring during a period of twelve years are presented. Complications observed were cervico-thoracic necrotizing fasciitis in 3 cases, purulent pleural effusion in 6 cases, pericardial effusion in 2, mediastinitis in 8 cases, jugular vein thrombosis and rupture of the innominate artery in one case each. ⋯ A cervico-mediastinal approach was useful for the early mediastinal involvement. Two patients died because of inadequacy of the multiple surgical procedures resulting in persistent infection and multi-organ failure and one because of uncontrollable bleeding after innominate artery rupture.