Evaluation of platelet indices in patients with deep neck space infection as a complication of acute tonsillitis

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate whether platelet indices are helpful to identify deep neck space infections (DNSIs) secondary to acute tonsillitis. Patients and Methods:A total of 321 patients diagnosed with acute tonsillitis with or without DNSI admitted to the Otolaryngology Department of Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital between August 2010 and January 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients underwent full otolaryngologic examination and radiological imaging studies including computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cases of suspected DNSI. Mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet count (PC) were calculated in all subjects and these were compared between the patients with or without DNSI secondary to acute tonsillitis. Results:With respect to DNSI complications of tonsillitis, 25 of the patients had peritonsillar abscesses (7.8%), 11 had parapharyngeal abscesses (3.4%), and six had retropharyngeal abscesses (1.9%). The MPV, PDW, and PC values were significantly higher in patients with acute tonsillitis and DNSI (p<0.05). The optimum cut-off values for MPV, PDW, and PC were 8.75, 16.65, 278 and 500, respectively. Conclusion:This study is the first to evaluate the relationship between platelet indices and DNSI complications of acute tonsillitis. Our results demonstrate that MPV, PDW, and PC values are potential laboratory parameters for diagnosing DNSIs.Keywords: Acute tonsillitis; deep neck infection; inflammation; mean platelet volume; platelets; platelet distribution width. Sonuç: Bu çalışma, akut bademcik iltihabının trombosit indeksleri ile DBE komplikasyonları arasındaki ilişkiyi değerlendiren ilk çalışmadır. Sonuçlarımız, OTH, TDG ve PC değerlerinin DBE tanısında potansiyel laboratuvar parametrelerini göstermektedir.Anahtar Sözcükler: Akut bademcik iltihabı; derin boyun enfeksiyonu; enflamasyon; ortalama trombosit hacmi; trombosit; trombosit dağılım genişliği.