Positive detection of salmonella in an infected lateral neck cyst

Introduction A lateral cervical cell arises from the incorrect closure of the embryonic 3rd or 4th branchial arch. Lat. Neck cysts often manifest between the ages of 15 and 35. They appear as a mostly unilateral, easily movable, bulging, elastic swelling at the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Case report A 57-year-old female patient presented with a severe swelling of the left side of the neck and a temperature of 39.4 ° C. Clinically, there was an indurated, immovable, overheated swelling on the left cervical region in region II. In the laboratory, there was leukocytosis and an increased CRP value. Ultrasound showed a cystic, mixed echo mass. If an infected lateral cervical cyst was suspected, a puncture was performed. During the microbiological processing of the puncture and the blood culture Salmonella ser. enteritidis was detected. After initial therapy with Unacid, the antibiosis was switched to metronidazole after the microbiological results were received, with symptoms and inflammation parameters decreasing. The ultrasound control showed a slight decrease in the size of the cysts.

Discussion When diagnosing a lateral neck cyst, extirpation, possibly with tonsillectomy, is recommended for definitive therapy. A puncture is recommended for acute relief of symptoms or to clean up infections.

Conclusion In the literature there is no description of the detection of Salmonella species in a lateral cervical cyst. In the case described, the detection of the pathogen resulted in a change in the therapeutic antibiotic regime. Possibly there was a Salmonella infection, which led to an accumulation in the blood and settlement in the Latin neck cyst.

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Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021