Case report of atypical course of large abscess of neck

Background. Purulent-inflammatory diseases of the neck arise as a complication of a large number of diverse diseases (peritonsillar abscess, acute epiglottitis, mastoiditis, etc.), diagnostic studies, therapeutic manipulations, and operations on the neck organs. This disease poses a real threat to the patient’s life, which is due to the anatomical and topographical features of the area, which leads to the rapid spread of the process through the cellular spaces and generalization of the infection. Every year, there is an increase in the number of patients with purulent-inflammatory diseases, such as abscess or phlegmon of the neck, which may be due to the late presentation of patients for medical help, incorrect diagnosis, inadequate assistance with initial therapy, and lack of alertness of specialists. Clinical case. A 44-year-old patient was urgently hospitalized in the department of otorhinolaryngology of the MONIKI with complaints of pain in the lateral surface of the neck on the right, sore throat, and painful swallowing. The patient’s general well-being did not suffer: consciousness was clear, the skin was of normal color and moisture, body temperature was 36.7 °C, respiratory rate was 18 per minute. After further examination, a diagnosis was made: abscess of the soft tissues of the neck. Emergency surgical treatment was successfully performed—opening and drainage of the soft tissue abscess of the neck. Conclusion. The success of treatment of patients with purulent-inflammatory diseases of the cellular spaces of the neck is determined by correct diagnosis and adequate emergency surgical intervention.