Relationship between Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Prognosis in Patients with Deep Neck Space Infection

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate if there is any relation between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and prognosis in patients with deep neck space infections Methods: One hundred eight patients who were interned and treated due to deep neck infection in department of otolaryngology between January 2010 and January 2015 were analyzed. Demographics, clinical data, complications and treatment results of patients were evaluated. Pediatric patients between the age of 0 and 14, the patients who had only peritonsillary abscess, infection secondary to trauma were excluded from study. During follow-up and treatment duration the patients with deep neck infections were divided into two groups according to whether they had any complication (group 1) or not (group 2). Results: Fourteen (13%) patients with deep neck infections had life-threatening complications whereas 94 (87%) did not have any complication during follow-up and treatment duration. The mean neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with complications was significantly higher than the patients without any complications (p 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio can be used as a cheap, easily obtained and predictive prognostic factor in patients with deep neck infections. Key words: Deep neck space infection, complication, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio.