Case report of fatal deep neck abscess: a complication of aerodigestive foreign bodies

Abstract

Background: Ingestion of a foreign body is a typical emergency in the field of health services otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery. Pharyngooesophageal perforation, aorto-oesophageal fistula, and deep neck infection are all serious consequences, albeit uncommon. Several risk factors for complications that aggravate this condition include time of therapy (> 24 hours after the onset of symptoms), sharp foreign objects such as fish bones, mental illness, and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for complications. Although deep neck abscesses have decreased due to the availability of antibiotics, these infections still occur with high morbidity and mortality rates if the patient is not managed properly. Aim: to report case of fatal deep neck abscess and aerodigestive complications of foreign agency in Dr. Soetomo Teaching Hospital, Surabaya Indonesia. Method: A retrospective report of 4 cases of ingestion of foreign bodies with complications of deep neck abscess resulted in death in Dr. Soetomo Academic Hospital, Surabaya between the year 2018 and 2020. This case report describes clinical symptoms, result of physical and diagnostic examinations, and therapy of each subject until death. Results: Between 2018 and 2020, there were four cases at Dr. Soetomo Teaching Hospital, Surabaya with a history of foreign body ingestion that escalated to severe neck abscesses. In all four cases, the subjects died as a result of deep neck abscess complications. Conclusion: Four cases were recorded, each of which had a history of ingestion of foreign bodies causing complications of deep neck abscess. In addition, the co-morbidities of diabetes mellitus increase the risk of death for the patient.