Deep Neck Space Infection Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department
Deep Neck Space Infection Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department
Child with Suspected Deep Neck Space Infection
This pathway should be used to guide the evaluation and treatment of healthy children with a suspected deep neck space infection.
Signs/symptoms that may be associated with deep neck space infection include the following:
- Moderately ill appearing, fever
- Decreased ability to move the neck due to pain, particularly neck extension
- Dysphagia, pain with swallowing
- Very poor oral intake or refusal to PO, drooling
- Change in voice, “hot potato”
- Respiratory distress
- Tachypnea, stertor, stridor, tripod posture
Exclusions
- Concern for meningitis and/or sepsis
- Immunosuppression
- Recent surgical procedure on neck
- Airway trauma
- Neonates with fever