Background/Objectives: Deep neck space infections (DNSIs) in children, particularly parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscesses, pose a significant risk due to their ability to cause airway obstruction. The management of these infections in children differs from that in adults, requiring a multidisciplinary approach. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, and surgical management of pediatric DNSIs. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on pediatric patients (≤16 years) diagnosed with deep neck space infections between 2002 and 2022. A total of 266 cases were identified using ICD-10 codes, of which eight patients (3%) had para- or retropharyngeal abscesses. The clinical presentation, imaging modalities, airway management, and surgical approaches were analyzed. Results: Children with parapharyngeal or retropharyngeal abscesses had a mean age of 5.2 years, being significantly younger than those with peritonsillar abscesses (mean age: 13.5 years). The most common symptoms were a high fever (100%) and torticollis (63%). All patients underwent initial ultrasound (US), but a definitive diagnosis required contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. Seven patients (87.5%) underwent surgical drainage, with the decision to perform an incision dictated by the location of the abscess relative to vascular structures. Image-guided navigation facilitated minimally invasive transpharyngeal drainage in four cases. Postoperatively, six patients required prolonged intubation due to airway edema or surgical site management. One patient was successfully managed conservatively with antibiotics. Conclusions: DNSIs in children require prompt diagnosis and a tailored surgical approach. Imaging plays a crucial role in the localization of the abscess, with MRI preferred for detailed soft tissue assessment. Airway management is critical, and minimally invasive, image-guided techniques improve the precision of surgery. Multidisciplinary care optimizes patient outcomes.

Background and Objectives: Labyrinthitis is an inflammatory inner ear disorder often resulting in acute vertigo and hearing loss. While typically self-limiting, some cases lead to persistent deficits. This study examined incidence trends of acute labyrinthitis before and after 2020 and compared hearing outcomes between these periods. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 126 patients diagnosed with acute labyrinthitis at a tertiary medical center between January 2014 and May 2024. Patients were divided into pre-2020 (2014–2019) and post-2020 (2020–2024) cohorts. Poisson regression analyzed incidence trends, while audiometric outcomes were compared in 79 patients with complete 3-month follow-up data. Hearing recovery was assessed using pure-tone averages (PTA) across 500–4000 Hz, and predictors of persistent impairment were identified through multivariable logistic regression. Results: The cohort had a mean age of 47.8 years with female predominance (63.5%). Annual case counts increased significantly post-2020 (19.8 vs. 6.5 cases/year; CRR 3.05, 95% CI 2.07–4.57, p < 0.001). Substantial hearing improvement occurred across all frequencies (median AC improvement 13.8 dB). Hearing recovery was comparable between periods, with similar PTA improvements (−16.7 vs. −15.3 dB, p = 0.73) and equivalent distributions across World Health Organization (WHO) hearing categories (p = 0.64). Baseline hearing level was the strongest predictor of persistent impairment (OR 1.56 per 5 dB increase, 95% CI 1.25–1.95, p < 0.001), while age, sex, and diagnostic period showed no significant association. Among post-2020 patients, only 12.6% had confirmed coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), and no reliable association with hearing outcomes could be established due to substantial missing data. Conclusions: A significant increase in hospital-diagnosed labyrinthitis cases occurred following 2020, yet hearing outcomes at 3-month follow-up remained consistent with the pre-pandemic period. Baseline hearing level was the primary determinant of recovery, unaffected by demographic factors or diagnostic period. These findings suggest that while pandemic-related factors may have influenced case frequency, they did not alter auditory prognosis or recovery patterns.