Severe deep neck space infection caused by Eggerthia catenaformis

A 64-year-old woman was acutely referred to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital due to rapidly progressing neck swelling, fever and dysphagia. Clinical examination revealed submental swelling, trismus and laryngeal inflammation. A contrast-enhanced CT scan showed infection in the deep neck spaces with multiple abscesses. The patient underwent acute surgery and antimicrobial therapy was initiated and she was transferred to an intensive care unit. Three additional surgical procedures were needed before sufficient drainage was achieved. There was growth of different oral commensals from four separate pus aspirates, while Eggerthia catenaformis was cultured in all samples. Due to the extent of the infection, the patient stayed in the intensive care unit for 16 days, but recovered completely due to adequate surgery and antimicrobial therapy for 4 weeks. Here we present the third reported case of a severe deep neck space infection with multiple abscesses due to E. catenaformis.