Management of pediatric lateral neck infections: Does the adage “… never let the sun go down on undrained pus …” hold true?

Accurate clinical assessment of lateral neck infections is poor, generally under estimating suppuration. However, when an abscess is diagnosed clinically this correlates highly with the surgical finding. Radiological assessment has inaccuracy in identifying suppuration and this should be borne in mind when being used as a diagnostic tool for neck infections.