Fascial Space Infections: A Case Series

Introduction Space infections are a group of severe bacterial infections in potential spaces and fascial planes of the neck. Abscesses, cellulitis and phlegmons can spread along these fascial planes from the skull base to the mediastinum and cause serious and potentially life-threatening complications.[1] The occurrence of these infections have increased over time due to the inevitable battle that has ensued between discovering new antibiotics vs antibiotic resistance. However, most space infections require the following of basic and simple principles of surgery and medicine at the crucial moment of its incidence in order to prevent subsequent life threatening complications. The most common etiology is odontogenic (35–42%) and pharyngotonsillar infections. Other causes include salivary gland infections, penetrating or blunt trauma, a foreign body, iatrogenic factors such as prior surgery and dental procedures, neoplasm, lymphadenitis and infected cysts. Unknown etiology varies in the literature and remains around 8–57% of cases. Here we discuss three cases of infections of various spaces and their surgical management.