Classification of neck phlegmon (etiology, localization, severity of the condition, complications). Literature review

Phlegmon of the neck is one of the most severe forms of soft tissue infection in the practice of surgeons, otolaryngologists, thoracic surgeons, and dentists. A wide range of phlegmon causes, peculiar topographic and anatomical relationship between the interfacial compartments create difficulties in timely clinical and topical diagnosis, adequate surgical treatment and prognosis for a disease. There is still no generally accepted classification of neck phlegmon. There are various criteria for classifying: the cause of disease occurrence, topographic and anatomical locations of the abscess, the prevalence of the pathological process, microbial pathogens, complications, etc. The paper presents the frequency and causes of neck phlegmon. Various approaches to the classification of this pathological process are considered. One of the ways to create a classification is to use a score assessment of the disease severity and patient's condition, which allows to form a therapeutic and diagnostic algorithm and predict the course of the disease. Other criteria can be also used for scoring: gender, age, cause and duration of the disease, the prevalence of the pathological process, the presence of complications and concomitant pathologies. Creating a modern classification is a complex task, and the use of scoring scales requires searching for statistically significant criteria that affect the course and outcome of the disease.