Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is the most serious complication of deep neck infections (DNI) with high mortality. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate possible prognostic factors for DNM development in deep space neck infections.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is the most serious complication of deep neck infections (DNI) with high mortality. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate possible prognostic factors for DNM development in deep space neck infections. The study enrolled patients admitted to the Emergency Center of Vojvodina with the diagnosis of multispace DNI with or without DNM either as the primary diagnosis or with discharged diagnosis after surgical treatment during 7-years period. The data were obtained from patient medical records.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients admitted to the hospital due to deep neck infection affecting two or more spaces with or without descending necrotizing medioastinitis
• complete diagnosis and treatment data available from medical charts

Exclusion Criteria:

• incomplete medical data
• infection confined to one deep neck space
• patients treated under local anesthesia
• patients with superficial skin infections
• iatrogenic infections
• infected tumors

This study enrolled patients admitted to the Emergency Center of Vojvodina with the diagnosis of multispace DNI with or without DNM either as the primary diagnosis or with discharged diagnosis after surgical treatment.

The diagnosis of DNM was based on standard Estrera et al. diagnostic criteria. Cases included in the study comprised patients admitted to the hospital due to DNI affecting two or more spaces with or without DNM. Cases were excluded from the study if complete medical data could not be obtained from medical charts.