Predicting neck abscess with contrast-enhanced computed tomography

Neck abscesses are difficult to diagnose and treat. Currently, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is the imaging modality of choice. The study aims to determine the predictive value of CECT findings in diagnosing neck abscess, causes of neck abscess and the most common neck space involved...

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Main Authors: Lim, Melisa Seer Yee, Abdul Rahim, Noraini, Ngah, Ning Ajleaa, Abdul Aziz, Yang Faridah, Subha, Sethu Thakachy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2014
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/34988/1/Predicting%20Neck%20Abscess%20with%20Contrast-Enhanced.pdf
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author Lim, Melisa Seer Yee
Abdul Rahim, Noraini
Ngah, Ning Ajleaa
Abdul Aziz, Yang Faridah
Subha, Sethu Thakachy
author_facet Lim, Melisa Seer Yee
Abdul Rahim, Noraini
Ngah, Ning Ajleaa
Abdul Aziz, Yang Faridah
Subha, Sethu Thakachy
author_sort Lim, Melisa Seer Yee
collection UPM
description Neck abscesses are difficult to diagnose and treat. Currently, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is the imaging modality of choice. The study aims to determine the predictive value of CECT findings in diagnosing neck abscess, causes of neck abscess and the most common neck space involved in the local population. 84 consecutive patients clinically suspected to have neck abscess who underwent CECT and surgical confirmation of pus were included. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. 75 patients were diagnosed as having neck abscess on CECT; out of those 71 patients were found to have pus. Overall CECT findings were found to have a high sensitivity (98.6%) and positive predictive value (PPV) (94.7%) but lower specificity (67.2%) in diagnosing neck abscess. The CECT diagnostic criterion with the highest PPV is the presence of rim irregularity (96%). The most common deep neck space involved is the submandibular compartment, which correlates with the finding that odontogenic cause was the most common identifiable cause of abscess in the study population. Thus, in a patient clinically suspected of having neck abscess, CECT findings of a hypodense mass with rim irregularity are helpful in confirming the diagnosis and guiding clinical management.
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spelling upm.eprints-349882015-12-25T07:45:54Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/34988/ Predicting neck abscess with contrast-enhanced computed tomography Lim, Melisa Seer Yee Abdul Rahim, Noraini Ngah, Ning Ajleaa Abdul Aziz, Yang Faridah Subha, Sethu Thakachy Neck abscesses are difficult to diagnose and treat. Currently, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is the imaging modality of choice. The study aims to determine the predictive value of CECT findings in diagnosing neck abscess, causes of neck abscess and the most common neck space involved in the local population. 84 consecutive patients clinically suspected to have neck abscess who underwent CECT and surgical confirmation of pus were included. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. 75 patients were diagnosed as having neck abscess on CECT; out of those 71 patients were found to have pus. Overall CECT findings were found to have a high sensitivity (98.6%) and positive predictive value (PPV) (94.7%) but lower specificity (67.2%) in diagnosing neck abscess. The CECT diagnostic criterion with the highest PPV is the presence of rim irregularity (96%). The most common deep neck space involved is the submandibular compartment, which correlates with the finding that odontogenic cause was the most common identifiable cause of abscess in the study population. Thus, in a patient clinically suspected of having neck abscess, CECT findings of a hypodense mass with rim irregularity are helpful in confirming the diagnosis and guiding clinical management. Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2014 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/34988/1/Predicting%20Neck%20Abscess%20with%20Contrast-Enhanced.pdf Lim, Melisa Seer Yee and Abdul Rahim, Noraini and Ngah, Ning Ajleaa and Abdul Aziz, Yang Faridah and Subha, Sethu Thakachy (2014) Predicting neck abscess with contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Advances in Otolaryngology, 2014. art. no. 896831. pp. 1-8. ISSN 2356-683; ESSN: 2314-7938 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aoto/2014/896831/abs/ 10.1155/2014/896831
spellingShingle Lim, Melisa Seer Yee
Abdul Rahim, Noraini
Ngah, Ning Ajleaa
Abdul Aziz, Yang Faridah
Subha, Sethu Thakachy
Predicting neck abscess with contrast-enhanced computed tomography
title Predicting neck abscess with contrast-enhanced computed tomography
title_full Predicting neck abscess with contrast-enhanced computed tomography
title_fullStr Predicting neck abscess with contrast-enhanced computed tomography
title_full_unstemmed Predicting neck abscess with contrast-enhanced computed tomography
title_short Predicting neck abscess with contrast-enhanced computed tomography
title_sort predicting neck abscess with contrast enhanced computed tomography
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/34988/1/Predicting%20Neck%20Abscess%20with%20Contrast-Enhanced.pdf
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