Treatment and Prognosis of Bezold's Abscess

Understanding Bezold's Abscess

• The primary management of Bezold's abscess is surgical incision and drainage followed by antibiotic therapy, as recommended by the American College of Radiology 1, 2

Diagnostic Approach

• Clinical evaluation for signs of systemic infection is necessary for diagnosis, according to the World Journal of Emergency Surgery 3

Treatment Protocol

1. Surgical Management

• Surgical incision and drainage is the cornerstone of treatment, and needle aspiration alone is often insufficient and may lead to recurrence, as stated by the American College of Radiology 1, 2
• Mastoidectomy is frequently required for definitive treatment, especially with extensive disease, as reported by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 4

2. Antibiotic Therapy

• Empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics covering Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria should be initiated promptly, and continued for an adequate duration after surgical drainage, as recommended by the World Journal of Emergency Surgery 3