Computed tomography-guided navigation assisted drainage for inaccessible deep neck abscess: A case report

RATIONALE: Deep neck infections (DNIs) in the head and neck area are difficult to treat due to the anatomical complexity of the cervical region. Since inflammation causes changes in anatomy, it is often difficult to find the exact location of the abscess, which leads to failed surgical drainage. PATIENT CONCERN: A 76-year-old female patient was referred to our clinic with trismus and right-side facial swelling. After extraction of her lower third molar 2 weeks ago, due to chronic periodontitis, her trismus had aggravated and her maximal mouth opening was 20 mm. DIAGNOSES: Computed tomography (CT) revealed an approximately 2.5 cm-sized abscess pocket with cellulitis in the right pterygomandibular space. INTERVENTIONS: Since the first surgical drainage attempt using the intraoral approach under general anesthesia had failed and conservative antibiotic treatment was also ineffective, a second surgical procedure with a CT-guided navigation system was performed and the pus was successfully evacuated. OUTCOMES: After drainage with CT-guided navigation, the clinical symptoms and septic conditions of the patient showed remarkable improvement, and there was no recurrence of infection within a year after the procedure. LESSONS: Drainage with CT-guided navigation can be used as a successful surgical tool to aid in the surgery of patients with DNI when it is difficult to accurately target the abscess due to inflammation.