Cervicofacial abcesses of unknown origin. A survey of eighty-one cases.

A survey of eighty-one patients with cervicofacial abscesses of unknown origin is presented. The salient clinical features and the treatment of the abscesses are described. Mainly affected were children under 4 years of age, and the submandibular and submental regions were the most common sites of involvement. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogenic organism, and epidemic strains were implicated in some cases. A high incidence of resistance to penicillin was noted. The nasal vestibule is postulated to be reservoir of the organisms, and the possible relationship between infection, malnutrition, and a mild degree of anemia is examined.