What Researchers Did
Researchers reported on five cases of severe neck infections, known as necrotizing fasciitis, that originated in the throat, out of 20 total cases treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
What They Found
All five patients survived but experienced significant illness. They all underwent surgery, at least 30 days of endotracheal intubation, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Four of these five patients had initially used anti-inflammatory drugs, including non-steroidal (1 case), steroidal (2 cases), or both (1 case).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This study suggests a possible link between anti-inflammatory drugs and the development of severe neck infections like necrotizing fasciitis. For Canadian patients, this highlights the importance of discussing medication use with a doctor, especially when dealing with throat infections, as non-immunosuppressive pain relief options exist. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, appeared to contribute to patient survival in these severe cases.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The small number of cases and insufficient data on initial anti-inflammatory drug use prevented the researchers from proving a direct link between these drugs and the severe infection.