From: MRI of acute neck infections: evidence summary and pictorial review
Anatomical compartment | Abbreviation | Definition | Clinical significance |
---|---|---|---|
Retropharyngeal space | RPE | Edema of at least 2Â mm in anteroposterior thickness between the prevertebral muscles posteriorly and the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle anteriorly, in at least two consecutive axial images | Predicts ICU treatment in patients with various types of neck infection, present in about half of all patients with infection More common and more caudally extending in pharyngotonsillar than in odontogenic infections |
Mediastinum | ME | Edema at or below the level of the thoracic inlet, using the superior border of the manubrium sterni (anterior ME), or the first thoracic vertebra (posterior ME) as superior borders | Predicts ICU treatment and length of hospital stay in patients with various types of neck infection; present in about one-quarter of infected patients Similar prevalence in pharyngotonsillar and odontogenic infection, but the former is usually posterior and the latter usually anterior Strongest predictor of extraoral surgery in patients with odontogenic infection |
Submandibular space | SMSE | Oral cavity and floor of the mouth below the mylohyoid muscle | Very common in both pharyngotonsillar and odontogenic infections; a useful indicator of acute infection but not a marker for severe illness |
Sublingual space | SLSE | Oral cavity above the mylohyoid muscle | Predicts deep extension of peritonsillar abscesses |
Visceral space/anterior cervical space | VSE | Infrahyoid soft-tissue space including the larynx, strap muscles, and thyroid, also including the anterior cervical space between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the carotid space | Predicts both deep extension of peritonsillar abscesses and extraoral surgery in patients with odontogenic infections at the univariate level |