Cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) is an aggressive polymicrobial infection of the subcutaneous tissue and fascia of the face and neck. It is characterized by local ischemia (due to vascular thrombosis), which leads to necrosis and ulceration of the skin and soft tissue. Myonecrosis can…
Ludwig’s angina is a bilateral cellulitis involving the submandibular, submental, or sublingual spaces. The three characteristics of Ludwig’s angina can be remembered as the three F’s – Feared, Fatal, and rarely fluctuant. The most serious complications that make the condition rapidly fatal are airway obstruction due…
A peritonsillar abscess is the collection of pus in the tissue surrounding the tonsils: between the glossopalatine and pterygopalatine muscles, which are surrounded by a capsule. It is a serious complication of tonsillitis. It peaks between 30 and 40 years of age.
A retropharyngeal abscess is a collection of pus in the retropharyngeal space. It is caused by infected lymphatic drainage, or contiguous spread from a URTI or oral infection. It commonly affects children < 5 years old.
Neck infections can be broadly divided into superficial and deep infections. Classification of Neck Infections Category Examples Necrotizing Impetigo, erysipelas, cellulitis (Ludwig’s angina), lymphadenititis, and subcutaneous abscesses Necrotizing superficial neck infections Cervicofascial necrotizing fasciitis and purpura fulminans Deep neck infections Parapharyngeal abscess, retropharyngeal…
An adenoidectomy is the surgical excision of adenoid tissue.
Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils.
Chronic tonsillitis is chronic inflammation of the tonsils for more than two weeks. Classification of chronic tonsillitis Classification Description Chronic follicular tonsillitis The tonsillar crypts are full of purulent material, which shows on the surface as yellowish spots. Chronic parenchymatous tonsillitis…
Chronic rhinitis is characterised by hyperaemia and oedema of the nasal mucosa, with hypertrophy of the seromucinous glands and increase ingoblet cells. Blood sinusoids – particularly those over the turbinates – are distended.