Left superficial neck abscess

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Increase in size of left neck mass ?malignant ?related to carotid.

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Male

Irregular, infiltrative mixed solid and fluid density mass centering at the left side of the neck, inseparable from the anterior portion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Left sided cervical lymphadenopathy. Asymmetric soft tissue prominence at the left half of the oral cavity, extending down to the left vallecula. Parapharyngeal fat planes are obliterated. 

Case Discussion

The differential diagnosis for this cause was between metastatic squamous cell cancer and an abscess. Multiple biopsies of the patient's oral cavity and this left neck mass revealed necrotic tissue only with no evidence of malignancy. A mixed skin flora (coagulase negative Staphylococci and alpha hemolytic streptococci) was isolated. 

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.