Presentation and management of neck abscess: a retrospective analysis.

A retrospective analysis of deep neck abscesses managed at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center was performed. Fifty-one patients met the criteria and were reviewed as to presentation, etiology, location, and microbiology. Hemolytic streptococci and anaerobic species, especially Bacteroides and peptostreptococci, were the most common organisms isolated. Intravenous drug abuse was the most common etiology, and was an important source of primary carotid space infection. This group was most commonly infected with Streptococcus species (50%).