Article Sidebar
Published:
Apr 8, 2021DOI:
10.4314/rjmhs.v4i1.2Keywords:
Article Details
During the submission, authors will be requested to complete a ‘Copyright Transfer form' to assign to the University of Rwanda the copyright of the manuscript and any tables, illustrations or other material submitted for publication as part of the manuscript (the "Article") in all forms and media (whether now known or later developed), throughout the world, in all languages, for the full term of copyright, effective when the article is accepted for publication. The Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC-BY-NC-ND) license shall be applied.
Main Article Content
Clinical Presentation and Factors Leading to Complications of Deep Neck Space Infections at CHUK
Abstract
Background
Deep neck space infection (DNSI) mostly arise from the local extension of dental, tonsils and parotid gland infections. Early diagnosis and management is the key to avoid associated complications.
Objective
Our study aimed at evaluating the clinical presentation and factors related to complications of DNSIs at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University teaching hospital of Kigali from September 2017 to November 2018. It enrolled 66 participants. Patient information was recorded using a questionnaire and analyzed using Epidata 3.1 software. The data were processed using SPSS 16.0. Comparison of categorical variables were performed using the chi-square test. Associations with p-values=0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results
Males accounted for 35 (53%) of DNSIs. The majority (97%) presented with neck pain and 21% with a history of tooth extraction. The submandibular space was the most involved in 33 (50%) cases. The average duration of symptoms at presentation was 11 days. Delayed consultation and advanced age (>40years) were associated with complications and hospital stay with (p value=0.022) and (p=0.015) respectively.
Conclusion
Neck pain on background of tooth extraction is the most common presentation of patients with DNSIs. Delayed presentation and advanced age are central factors for complications and longer hospital stay.
Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2021;4(1):8-19
