Phlegmon - what kind of disease? Phlegmon of the neck. Symptoms and Treatment

Phlegmon is a purulent inflammation of fatty tissue. The pathological process proceeds acutely and in a short time can cover the surrounding area of tissue inflammation and spread to tendons, muscles, cellular spaces. In this article, we will talk more about this disease, below will describe the symptoms, causes and principles of treatment of this ailment.

Causes

First of all, the concepts of "abscess" and "phlegmon" should be clearly distinguished. This is not the same thing. In contrast to the abscess, which has a limiting capsule, the phlegmon has no clear boundaries, so the inflammatory process is of a diffuse nature. Phlegmon are diseases that develop as a result of rapid multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms: staphylococcus, streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, clostridia, Escherichia coli, etc.

To penetrate into fatty cellulose, harmful organisms can in various ways. Most often this occurs as a result of a violation of the integrity of the skin during injury, trauma, after surgery and injections. Also, the infection can get with a current of lymph or blood. Possible and a contact path of infection, if a purulent focus from the affected organ breaks into a nearby fat tissue. A certain danger is also posed by a limited process (carbuncle, abscess). The body, as a rule, seeks to limit any developing inflammation, forming a capsule. However, with exhaustion, a decrease in immunity, prolonged chronic pathologies, alcoholism, such a protective capsule does not form, and the purulent process spreads unimpeded from the very beginning of the disease. In addition, some pathogens (for example, non-clostridial flora, clostridia) are capable of releasing specific substances that dissolve the protective membrane, resulting in pus can also penetrate into healthy tissues.

Phlegmon: symptoms of the disease

The disease is characterized by fairly typical external manifestations, similar to the signs of the inflammatory process: redness, swelling of the skin, warming of the skin in the place of injury, painful sensations.

By the nature of the location phlegmon are superficial (tissue damage to the muscle layer) and deep (damage to the muscle layer and fatty tissue located around the internal organs). Superficial phlegmon is manifested by intense pain in the area of inflammation, swelling, and tightening. When skin is involved in the pathological process, redness develops and local temperature increases. Very soon, there are general symptoms of intoxication of the body: chills, fever, thirst, dry mouth, pronounced general weakness. If a deep phlegmon develops, symptoms of a general nature prevail over the local ones. Body temperature can rise up to 40-42 ° C, headaches, lethargy, drowsiness, skin becomes icteric, blood pressure decreases, pulse - weak, frequent. The respiratory activity is disrupted (breathing is lost, with minor physical exertion or even at rest, respiratory distress appears) and excretory (the amount of urine decreases, down to its complete absence) of systems. Also, when a deep phlegmon increases in size, this or that area in comparison with a healthy symmetrical site.

Neck phlegmon

This ailment can develop on absolutely any site where there is a subcutaneous fat. The phlegmon of the neck is a disease, the course of which is unpredictable. And the consequences can be severe and even present a danger to life.

When the disease affects the interfascial and intercellular spaces of the neck. Since this part of the body has a complex anatomical structure, the phlegmon can have different localization.

Symptoms of phlegmon neck

It is very important to diagnose the disease in time. Phlegmon can manifest itself differently, it all depends on the depth of occurrence and localization. If the inflammation is small and deep, it is difficult to detect. In this case, there are no manifestations on the skin, the body temperature does not rise to high values, signs of intoxication are poorly expressed. The external or extensive phlegmon of the neck is manifested in the same way as the superficial phlegmon of other parts of the body. At palpation, there will be a fluctuation (fluid accumulation), tension of the skin and severe soreness. The patient's condition is of medium severity or severe. With this kind of pathology, swallowing can be difficult. With a submaxillary phlegmon, difficulties arise with opening the mouth and chewing food. The mouth is constantly in a slightly open state, and an unpleasant odor can often be observed. With a progressive pathological process, the patient's condition rapidly deteriorates, and intoxication develops. Blood tests show a picture of acute inflammation, the parameters of ESR increase to 40-50 mm / hour.

What causes the phlegmon of the neck?

Phlegmon is inflammation, in which pus very quickly spreads from one space to another, forming a spilled out extensive areas of damage. In particular, the phlegmon of the neck can be provoked by a complicated course of catarrhal and lacunar angina, the opening of peritonsillar and zaggot abscesses, alveolitis, periodontitis, osteomyelitis of the lower jaw, otitis, spinal cord injury (osteomyelitis of the occipital bone or cervical vertebrae), thyroid disease, putrefactive infection (carious teeth ), Trauma. The causative agent of the infection very easily spreads over loose interfascial fiber, affects connective tissue, vessels, muscles, and also lymph nodes.

Possible complications

Incorrect and untimely diagnosis of the disease can lead to severe consequences, often incompatible with life:

• To inflammation of the median space of the chest - mediastenitis;

• To corroding pus of the walls of the vessels and, as a consequence, to profuse bleeding;

• To meningitis, sepsis, abscess in other organs;

• To asphyxiation (as a result of squeezing pus of the respiratory tract);

• To piercing pus into the lungs, the larynx.

Phlegmon: treatment of the disease

First of all, in order to confirm the infectious nature of inflammation, a physician should conduct a thorough examination of the patient and study the medical history. Phlegmon, as a rule, is eliminated by surgery. The use of antibiotic therapy, novocain blockades, physical therapy, the introduction of medicines that strengthen the body's defenses are possible only at the initial stage of the disease. If the fast positive effect does not come (the pain does not stop, the body temperature keeps at a high level, the general well-being and blood test parameters do not improve), and the symptoms of intoxication are rapidly increasing, emergency surgical intervention is necessary. Conducting surgical manipulations in the early stages of the disease can prevent poisoning of the body and the spread of purulent process. In surgical treatment, it should be borne in mind that the phlegmons of the neck, for the most part, are located subfascially, and in order to not damage important structures (nerves, vessels, etc.), it is necessary to carefully cut the tissues layer by layer.

However, this therapy does not end there. After phlegmon is removed, treatment in the postoperative period presupposes active therapeutic actions. Drainages are introduced into the wound, in order to allow a long-term flow washing and active aspiration of the exudate. Also, the patient needs to provide bed rest and plenty of drinking. In large doses, physiological saline solution, glucose, etc. are introduced. The use of antibiotics, analgesics, cardiac agents, oxygen therapy is shown.

Preventive measures

To prevent such a dangerous disease, it is necessary to avoid micro-traumas in everyday life and at work, to immediately provide medical care in case of injuries, injuries, and the introduction of foreign bodies. Prophylactic measures regarding the phlegmon of the neck consist in the timely treatment of angina and regular visits to the dentist in time to identify and treat diseases of the teeth and gums.

Finally

Phlegmon - this is the hardest, life-threatening inflammation. At the first manifestations of the pathology, immediately consult a doctor. Do not self-medicate, it can lead to irreversible consequences.