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Neck Infection — Signs and Symptoms — Clinical Pathway: Emergency

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

 

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