Retropharyngeal Abscess - Symptoms, Treatment, Forms, Stages, Diagnosis

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Retropharyngeal abscess

The content of the article:

1. Causes and risk factors
2. Forms of the disease
3. Symptoms
4. Diagnostics
5. Treatment
6. Possible complications and consequences
7. Forecast
8. Prevention

Retropharyngeal abscess (retropharyngeal abscess, retropharyngeal abscess) is a disease characterized by purulent inflammation of loose tissue and lymph nodes in the pharyngeal space.

It is more common in children of the first years of life, in adults it is observed much less often and is predominantly secondary.

The retropharyngeal abscess is a purulent inflammation of the lymph nodes and loose tissue of the pharyngeal space

Causes and risk factors

A number of factors contribute to the occurrence of a retropharyngeal abscess:

• infectious diseases;
• injuries to the upper vertebrae of the cervical spine;
• decreased immunity;
• trauma to the posterior pharyngeal wall (with tracheal intubation, ingestion of a foreign body, etc.);
• purulent process in the Eustachian tube and tympanic cavity;
• malignant neoplasms;
• metabolic disorders.

The most common reason for the development of a retropharyngeal abscess in children is the spread of the infectious process to the lymph nodes in acute respiratory diseases against the background of reduced immunity.

In adults, the disease develops mainly against the background of lesions of the cervical vertebrae with syphilis and tuberculosis. Persons with diabetes mellitus and immunodeficiency are more susceptible to the occurrence of a pharyngeal abscess.

Forms of the disease

Depending on the localization of the inflammation focus, the following forms of the pharyngeal abscess are distinguished:

• hypopharyngeal (below the root of the tongue);
• mesopharyngeal (between the root of the tongue and the edge of the palatine curtain);
• epipharyngeal (above the palatine curtain);
• mixed.

Symptoms

In children, the disease often manifests itself as a sore throat, which increases with swallowing. Body temperature - 39 ° C and above; the disease is accompanied by general weakness, pronounced signs of intoxication.

Symptoms of the pharyngeal abscess depend on the form of the disease. The most common manifestations of the disease:

• difficulty in nasal breathing;
• a sharp deterioration in the general condition;
• difficulty swallowing;
• wheezing when breathing;
• decreased appetite;
• hoarseness of the voice;
• moderate stiff neck muscles;
• swelling and soreness of the lymph nodes of the neck, which causes the forced position of the head;
• hypersalivation; and etc.

With a retropharyngeal abscess, wheezing and difficulty in swallowing occur

For the retropharyngeal abscess in adults, which developed against the background of lesions of the cervical vertebrae with syphilis or tuberculosis, a prolonged sluggish course of the disease with a blurred, mild clinical picture is characteristic.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of a retropharyngeal abscess is based on data obtained as a result of the following measures:

• collection of anamnesis;
• objective examination, palpation;
• pharyngoscopy;
• general blood analysis;
• computed tomography, radiography;
• puncture of the infiltrate followed by bacteriological examination;
• PCR diagnostics; etc.

In addition, testing for syphilis and tuberculosis is recommended.

Examination and palpation of the throat - methods for diagnosing a pharyngeal abscess

Differential diagnosis of the disease with retropharyngeal lymphadenopathy, lining laryngitis, osteomyelitis, oncopathologies is required.

Treatment

Patients with a retropharyngeal abscess require hospitalization in an ENT hospital. In order to avoid spontaneous opening of the abscess, treatment begins immediately after the diagnosis is made. The main methods, depending on the duration and form of the disease, are:

• physiotherapy procedures;
• gargling with antiseptic solutions;
• restorative therapy;
• drug therapy with antibacterial and antihistamines;
• surgical intervention.

Surgical opening of an abscess is carried out when drug treatment is ineffective

Surgical opening of an abscess is performed through the oral cavity under local or general anesthesia. The contents of the abscess are aspirated by suction. In the postoperative period, gargling with antiseptic solutions and therapy with antibacterial drugs are shown.

Possible complications and consequences

In the absence of the necessary treatment and further spread of the inflammatory process, there is a risk of developing bronchopneumonia, brain abscess, mediastinitis, sepsis, damage to the carotid artery wall, airway obstruction, and purulent meningitis. Lethal outcome is not excluded.

Forecast

With timely diagnosis and adequate treatment, the prognosis is usually good. The patient is disabled for 1-2 weeks.

Prevention

In order to prevent the development of a retropharyngeal abscess, it is recommended:

• timely diagnosis and treatment of otorhinolaryngological diseases;
• full night sleep;
• balanced diet;
• taking vitamin complexes in the autumn-winter period;
• strengthening immunity;
• hardening of the body.

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Anna Aksenova Medical journalist About the author

Education: 2004-2007 "First Kiev Medical College" specialty "Laboratory Diagnostics".

The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!