Otogenic deep neck abscess: A rare complication of cholesteatoma with acute mastoiditis

Deep neck abscess is a rare complication of acute mastoiditis in the era of antibiotics. In preantibiotic era, Bezold's abscess was the most common cause of the otogenic deep neck abscess. We reported a 19-year-old male with cholesteatoma complicated by acute suppurative mastoiditis, lateral sinus thrombosis, thrombophlebitis of the ipsilateral internal jugular vein and deep neck abscess formation. The pathway of the deep neck abscess formation is different from the classic presentations of Bezold's abscess. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography were complementary for the detailed demonstration of the origin and the extent of the disease. Segmental mural lysis of the infected internal jugular vein was considered to be responsible for the development of deep neck abscess formation.