Spreading routes from neck to mediastinum according to tracheotomy
Cervical necrotizing fasciitis with gas formation was shown in 13 (65%) patients. Involved neck spaces with cellulitis or abscess were multiple in all patients (Table 2). The most commonly involved neck space in DNM was the pretracheal space in 18 (90%) patients (Fig. 1A). Both pretracheal and retropharyngeal spaces were all involved in the tracheotomy group. All neck spaces were more prevalent in the tracheotomy group than in the non-tracheotomy group.