Retropharyngeal Abscess Prevention and Treatment

Retropharyngeal abscess Prevention and Treatment

Definition of retropharyngeal abscess

Retrofaringeal abscess is a pus accumulation in the back of the throat tissues.

Cause of retropharyngeal abscess

• Abscesses are usually caused by streptococcal infection from the tonsils, throat, sinuses, adenoids, nasal or middle ear.
• Sometimes an injury to the back of the throat caused by thorn fish can also cause abscesses retrofaringeal.
• Although rare, retrofaringel abscess can also be caused by tuberculosis.
• Retrofaringeal abscess usually affects children aged less than 5 years.
• Networking on the back of the throat allows the formation of children's cavity containing pus (which this does not occur in adults).
• Infection in these areas can occur during or shortly after by a bacterial throat infection.

Symptoms of retropharyngeal abscess

Symptoms include:

• History of sore throat, nasal infection or tooth abscess
• High fever
• Severe sore throat
• Swollen neck lymph nodes
• Difficulty swallowing
• Salivating
• Respiratory Disorders
• Intercostal retraction (withdrawal of muscles between the ribs when people try so hard to breathe)
• Stridor (harsh breathing sound).

Complications of retropharyngeal abscess

• Bleeding around the abscess
• Rupture of the abscess into the airways (which can cause airway obstruction)
• Pneumonia
• The spread of infection to the chest.

Diagnosis of retropharyngeal abscess

• Diagnosis is based on symptoms and physical examination.
• X-rays or a CT scan of the neck showed a cavity containing pus between the throat and cervical spine.
• Blood tests showed an increase in the number of white blood cells.
• Breeding throat mucus can indicate the presence of the causative organism.

Treatment of retropharyngeal abscess

• To overcome infection drainage surgery (to remove the pus) and high doses of antibiotics given intravenously.

Prevention of retropharyngeal abscess

• Diagnosis and treatment in pharyngitis and nasopharyngeal infection usually can prevent abscess retrofaringeal.

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