Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2022 | Mediastinitis | Research
Factors affecting perforation of the esophagus in patients with deep neck infection
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2022
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Background
Deep neck infection (DNI) is a serious disease that can lead to severe morbidity, including esophageal perforation, and mortality. However, no previous study has explored the risk factors associated with esophageal perforation in patients with DNI. This study investigated these factors.
Methods
Between September 2015 and September 2021, 521 patients with DNI were studied. Relevant clinical variables and deep neck spaces were assessed.
Results
In a multivariate analysis, involvement of the retropharyngeal space (OR 5.449, 95% CI 1.603–18.51, p = 0.006) and the presence of mediastinitis (OR 218.8, 95% CI 55.98–855.3, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors associated with esophageal perforation in patients with DNI.
There were no differences in pathogens between 32 patients with and 489 patients without esophageal perforation (all p > 0.05).
Conclusion
Involvement of the retropharyngeal space and the presence of mediastinitis were independent risk factors associated with esophageal perforation in patients with DNI. There were no differences in pathogens between the groups with and without esophageal perforation in DNI.