• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.686-689
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• 1999

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis(DNM) is a rare complication of the oropharyngeal and cervical infection. Descending necrotizing mediastinitis requires an early and aggressive surgical approach to reduce the high morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. A 39-year-old man complained of odynophagia, neck swelling, and disturbance of swallowing with dyspnea. CT scans of the neck suggested a peritonsillar abscess and retropharyngeal and peripharyngeal abscess. He underwent cervical drainage. He remained febrile and complained of severe both pain in both shoulders. On postoperative day 5, a follow-up CT scan confirmed a mediastinal abscess. Reexploration of the neck and right thoracotomy for debridement and drainage of the mediastinal abscess were performed.. A large amount of pus was drained from the anterior and posterior mediastinum and its necrotic tissue was debrided. The patient's condition and radiologic findings gradually improved. Cultures of the drain fluid revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae. He was discharged on the 85th hospital day. In our experience, both transcervical drainage and aggressive mediastinal exploration via thoracotomy can lead to an improvement in the survival of the patient with descending necrotizing mediastinitis. CT scanning is useful for early diagnosis of mediastinitis and for follow up.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.363-368
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• 2007

Purpose : It has been reported that deep neck abscesses are recently increasing again. We analyzed pediatric cases with deep neck abscesses during the last several years to contribute to the treatment of the disease. Methods : The clinical data of 30 children under 16 years of age with deep neck abscess from February 2001 to July 2006 were analysed retrospectively. Results : The mean age was 9 years (2-16 years), and the male/female ratio was 19/11. Abscesses in the peritonsillar space were most common (57%), followed by the retropharyngeal (30%) and parapharyngeal (13%) spaces. Upper respiratory infection in 10 cases (33%), dental infection in four case (14%), cervical lymphadenitis in three case (10%) and sinusitis in two case (6%) contributed to the development of deep neck infections. The frequent symptoms were fever in 16 case (53%), sore throat in 15 case (50%), poor oral intake in 10 (33%), odynophagia in eight (27%), and neck pain in eight (27%). Unilateral tonsillar hypertrophy and displacement in 15 case (50%) were most common. Neck mass in 13 patients (43%), neck stiffness in three (10%) and trismus in three (10%) were also found. Bacteria were isolated in 8 among 10 pus cultures; Streptococcus species 7 and Micrococcus luteus 1. All of those bacteria except Micrococcus luteus were sensitive to penicillin G. Surgical intervention was applied to 12 cases (40%), and the remaining 18 patients (60%) were treated with antibiotics only. There were no differences between the two groups in the duration of admission and antibiotic treatment. No complicated cases were observed. Conclusion : Peritonsillar abscesses were most frequent. Upper respiratory infection was the most common predisposing factor, followed by dental infection and sinusitis. Symptoms of respiratory tract obstruction were not found. The most common pathogens were Streptococcus species. Deep neck abscesses in children, if diagnosed at the early stage, possibly can be treated by antibiotics only, without surgical intervention.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.542-545
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• 2008

Epidural hematoma (EDH) is relatively rare in newborn infants and frequently associated with instrumental deliveries or other complications during labor and delivery. Although surgical evacuation has been the most common therapy, many other procedures have been suggested. Although many epidural hematomas require surgical evacuation rather than non-surgical management, the conservatiob or aspiration of hematoma have been attempted. In the case of EDH associated with cephalhematoma, aspiration of cephalhematoma could be attempted because frequent features of these combination were communication between these hematoma. We report a case of successful nonsurgical management for epidural hematoma through the aspiration of accompanying cephalhematoma in a five-day-old newborn infant.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2010

Backgraound and Objectives : The voice change can occur in acute epiglottitis or peritonsillar abscess, and the labelings of both changes as a "muffled voice" or "hot potato voice", The aim of this study was to investigate the difference of changes in acoustic feature of voice before and after treatment in patients with acute epiglottitis or peritonsillar abscess. Subjects and Method: 13 patients with acute epiglottitis and 12 patients with peritonsillar abscess were enrolled in the study. Acoustic analysis on sustained Korean vowels /${\alpha}$/, /u/ and /i/ were performed before and after treatment. Results: In patients with acute epiglottitis, the first formant frequency (F1) of /${\alpha}$/ was increased, and the second frequency (F2) of /i/ was decreased. In patients with peritonsillar abscess, F1 and F2 of /${\alpha}$/ were decreased. F1 of /i/ and /u/ were increased, while F2 were decreased. Conclusion : The anatomical and functional changes of oropharynx and larynx by acute epiglottitis and peritonsillar abscess can cause different change in resonance and speech quality. We suggest that these changes could be the cause of 'muffled vocie' in patients of acute epiglottitis or peritonsillar abscess, but different characteristics of phonation in each disease should be distinguished.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2009

Background and Objectives : Peritonsillar abscess is one of the most common illnesses m the ENT field, though its prevalence has been drastically reduced with the development of antibiotics and appropriate early treatment. We analyzed recent clinical characteristics of peritonsillar abscess and compared them with ones of 7 and 14 years ago respectively. Materials and Methods : Sixty-six cases of peritonsillar abscess from 2006 through 2008 were investigated retrospectively and compared with results of 7 and 14 years ago on various clinical factors. Results : Peritonsillar abscess was prevalent in men in their 20s and 30s. Mean period from symptom onset to visit to hospital tended to decrease(5.2 days) but admission days has increased(7.4 days). Body temperature on admission was lower than that of previous studies($36.4^{\circ}C$). Bacteria were isolated in 26 cases(74.2%) out of 35 cases in which culture had been performed. The most common cultured organism was a-hemolytic streptococcus and $\beta$-hemolytic streptococcus that had been most frequently cultured 14 years ago wasn't detected in this study. Conclusion : We found some changes of clinical features in peritonsillar abscess when compared with previous researches. Although there were some differences in cultured organism, antibiotics used commonly-cephalosporin, aminoglycoside, quinolone - were still effective for their eradication.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to review our recent experiences with deep neck abscesses in children and adolescents and to provide helpful information in treatment and diagnosis by comparing them with those in other available literatures. Methods : Medical records of 36 children and adolescents admitted for deep neck abscess at two hospitals from January 2000 to October 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Male to female ratio was 1.4 : 1 and the mean age was 6.5 years. Painful neck swelling and fever were the most frequent symptoms in patients under thirteen years of age whereas trismus and headache were frequent symptoms in patients over fourteen years of age. Submandibular space was the most common site of deep neck abscess in patients under thirteen years of age, whereas peritonsillar space was the most common site in patients over fourteen years of age. The results of bacterial cultures were positive in 61.5% of drained cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly identified bacteria in 6 patients (37.5%) and 5 of them were under 2 years of age. Twenty six patients received surgical drainage while the others were treated with antibiotics only. There were no statistically significant differences in the durations of admission, fever after admission, and antibiotic treatment between surgical and medical treatment groups. Conclusion : The common sites of deep neck abscess, associated symptoms, and causative organisms were different between children and adolescents. As there were no differences in durations of admission, fever, or antibiotics treatments between surgical and medical treatment groups, surgical drainage may be avoided by early recognition and suspicion. However, if there is no improvement of symptoms or size of abscesses within 48-72 hours of antibiotic treatment, surgical drainage should be considered.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.43-46
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• 2002

Branchial cleft cysts are most common neck masses in adults. Most are second branchial cysts, which occur in the neck, anterior to sternocleidomastoid muscle at the mandibular angle. Rarely these cysts may be present in the parapharyngeal space. We report a case of a second branchial cleft cysts in the parapharyngeal space of 32-year-old female, which was misdiagnosed as peritonsillar abscess. It was excised via transoral and transcervical approach.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.147-153
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• 2011

Background and Objective : Peritonsillar abscess occurs when the bacterial infection of the palatine tonsil spreads to the potential peritonsillar space deep behind the tonsil. We observed and treated a case of peritonsillar abscess patient from a child acute tonsillitis. We present this case because there were no former reports of peritonsillar abscess treated by herbal medicine. Methods : We used herbal medication for 24 days. We diagnosed the patient through abdominal examination and have decided the treatment principle accordingly. We used the visual analogue scale(VAS). Results : After the treatment the grade of VAS was decreased and clinical symptoms were improved. Conclusions : Gejigajagyak-Tang in considerably effective on the treatment of pus of peritonsillar abscess.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2004

Purpose : Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses are often distinguishable from other head and neck abscesses on clinical grounds, but these infections can combine and the presentations are similar to one another. Because of the advances of antibiotic therapy, the frequency of the diseases decreased considerably, but recently the incidence of neck abscesses has increased. We sought to describe the clinical presentation of patients with deep neck abscess, and implications on management. Methods : For 10 year periods, 94 cases of charts were reviewed retrospectively, who were diagnosed as neck abscesses aged below 16 years old(between January 1993 to August 2003) in 4 hospitals. Deep neck abscesses were diagnosed by surgical pus drainage, neck CT (homogenous, hypodense area with ring enhancement) and neck sono findings. Results : The annual incidence of deep neck abscess has been increased since 2000. The median age of the patients was 4 years(range, 26 days~15 years); 63% of the patients were younger than 5 years. Abscesses in the submandibular space(34%) were most common, followed by peritonsillar space(29.7%), retropharyngeal space(11.7%), combined(10.8%), parotid space(7.4%) and parapharyngeal space(6.4%). Fever(73.4%), sore throat(37.2%), decreased oral intake(34%) and neck pain(27.7%) were the most common symptoms. In 6 children(6.4%), there was refusal to move neck, in 6(6.4%) headache, and in 4(4.3%) torticollis. Respiratory distress was observed in only 1 patient(2.1%) and stridor in 1 other(2.1%). The most common physical examinations were neck swelling/mass(67%), pharyngitis(46.8%), tonsillitis(36.2 %), and cervical lymphadenopathy(28.7%). Neck stiffness was observed in 4 patients(4.3%). Total 35 organisms were isolated in 33 patients. The most common organisms cultured by patients' blood or pus were S. aureus(34%) and S. pyogenes(28.6%). Most organisms were gram positive, and had sensitivities in vancomycin(96.4%), cefotaxime(88.9%), cephalothin (86.4%), trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazole(83.3%), and clindamycin(77.8%). 77 patients(81.9%) underwent surgery plus antibiotics; 17 patients(18.1%) were treated with antibiotics only. There is no significant differences between two groups. In duration of admission, fever after admission, and antibiotic treatment. Conclusion : The incidence of deep neck abscess has increased recently and the major symptoms have been changed. The incidence of respiratory distress or stridor is decreasing, while the incidence of abnormal head and neck symptoms and signs like headache, neck stiffness, refusal to move neck, or torticollis are increasing. Gram positive organisms are predominant, S. aureus is the most common followed by S. pyogenes. 1st generation cephalosporin has high sensitivity on gram positive organisms. Treatment with surgery plus antibiotics dose not significantly decrease total duration of antibiotic treatment or admission compared to treatment with antibiotics alone.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1978.06a
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• pp.6.1-6
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• 1978

Dsysphagia or difficulty in swallowing is a symptom wich indicates the presence of disease or dysfunction. Because the cause & the original site are variable, it is significant to study the clinicostatistical analysis on 133 cases with complant of dysphagia during the last one year in the department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University. The results are as follows; 1) Among the total O.P.D. patients (6313 cases), patients complaining the dysphagia are 2.1%. 2) Male to female sex ratio is 1. 3 to 1, slightly predominent in male and average are 35.7 years. 3) The duration of chief complaint is about 251 days in average, but excluding the 8 cases with more than year of symptom, it is about 40 days. In detailed analysis of the duration; 67 cases (50.4%) occurred within 1 weak: 24 cases (18.0%), 1 week to 1 month: 34 cases (25.6%), 1 month to 1 year: 8 cases (6.0%), more than 1 year. 4) As to the site of origin, the oropharyngolaryngeal origin 106 cases (76.7%) are 4 times as many as the esophageal origin 27 cases (20.3%). 5) As to the etiological classification: inflammation 67 cases (50.4%), tumor 28 cases (21.0%), corrosive agent 14 cases (10.5%), foreign body 11 cases (8.3%) in order. 6) As to the disease entity: pharyngitis and tonsillitis 42 cases (31.6%), stomatitis 14 cases (10.5%), corrosive esophagitis 14 cases (10.5%), laryngeal tumor 12 cases (9.0%), peritonsillar abscess 9 cases (6.8%), esophageal foreign body 7 cases (5.2%), tongue tumor 7 cases (5.2%), tonsillar tumor 6 cases (4.5%), (pharyngeal foreign body 4 cases (3.0%)in order.