Principles of Critical Care > Part V. Infectious Disorders > Chapter 54. Life-Threatening Infections of the Head, Neck, and Upper Respiratory Tract Anthony W. Chow

Key Points

"Life-threatening infections of the head, neck, and upper respiratory tract have become less common in the postantibiotic era. As a consequence, many physicians are unfamiliar with these conditions. Further, with widespread use of antibiotics and profound immunosuppression in some patients, the classic manifestations of these infections are often altered. Features of systemic toxicity, such as chills and fever, and local signs, such as edema and fluctuance, may be absent. Thus, physicians unfamiliar with these entities may underestimate their extent and severity. The situation is made more serious by the fact that these infections often have a rapid onset and may progress to fatal complications. In this chapter, the key clinical manifestations of several life-threatening infections of the head, neck, and upper respiratory tract are highlighted, and the critically important anatomic relations that underlie their diagnosis and management are emphasized...."