Adult retropharyngeal abscess

Main Article Content

Saumendra Nath Bandopadhyay
Dwaipayan Mukherjee
Diptanshu Mukherjee
Swagatam Banerjee
Shubhra Kanti Sen

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Introduction
The proportion of adults suffering from retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) has increased in comparison to children.
Materials and methods
Eight cases of adult retropharyngeal abscess were reviewed. The diagnostic criteria were radiological evidence of widening of pre-vertebral soft tissue shadow and presence of pus in the swelling.
Results
Sore throat, fever, muffled speech, painful swallow and stiffness of the neck were common presenting symptoms. Lateral X-ray of the neck was diagnostic. Commonest organism isolated was Streptococcus pyogenes. Airway obstruction was the commonest complication.
Discussion
Most of the patients had history of trauma prior to the development of RPA. CT scan has an important role in planning the management in addition to lateral X-ray of the neck. Transoral surgical drainage in association with antibiotics is the treatment of choice in abscesses confined to the retropharyngeal space.
Conclusion
Tuberculosis is no longer the commonest cause of adult retropharyngeal abscess. Sore throat or dysphagia, disproportionate to clinical findings in the throat should arouse suspicion of RPA. Early intervention with antibiotics reduces the chances of the development of complications.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Bandopadhyay SN, Mukherjee D, Mukherjee D, Banerjee S, Sen SK. Adult retropharyngeal abscess. BJOHNS [Internet]. 2015Apr.4 [cited 2024Nov.23];23(1):7-11. Available from: https://bjohns.in/journal3/index.php/bjohns/article/view/30
Section
Main article
Author Biographies

Saumendra Nath Bandopadhyay, West Bengal University of Health Sciences

Professor, Department of ENT, Medical College, Kolkata

Dwaipayan Mukherjee, The West Bengal University fo Health Sciences

Asst. Professor, Department of ENT, KPC Medical College, jadavpur, Kolkata

Diptanshu Mukherjee, The West Bengal university of Health Sciences

RMO cum Clinical Tutor, Dept. of ENT, Medical College, Kolkata

Swagatam Banerjee, The West Bengal University of Health Sciences

Senior Resident, Dept. of ENT, Medical College, Kolkata

Shubhra Kanti Sen, The West Bengal University of Health Sciences

RMO cum Clinical Tutor, Dept. of ENT, NRS Medical College, Kolkata

References

Weed HG, Forest LA. Deep neck infection. In: Cummings CW ed. Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 4th edn. Philadelphia: Elsevier Mosby, 1998; 4:2515-24

Pontell J, Har-El G, Lucente FE. Retropharyngeal abscess: clinical review. Ear Nose Throat J. 1995; 74: 701-4

Sharma HS, Kurl DN, Hamzah Md. Retropharyngeal abscess: recent trends. Auris Nasus Larynx. 1998; 25: 403-6

Goldenberg D, Golz A, Joachims HZ. Retropharyngeal abscess: a clinical review. J Laryngol Otol. 1997; 111: 546-50

Tannebaum RD. Adult Retropharyngeal abscess: a case report and review of literature. The J of Emerg Med. 1996; 14: 147-58

Afolabi OA, Fadare JO, Oyewole EO, Ogah SA. Fish bone foreign body presenting with an acute fulminating retropharyngeal abscess in a resource-challenged center: a case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports 2011;5:165. doi:10.1186/1752-1947-5-165.

Echevarria J. Deep neck infections. In: Schlossberg D ed. Infections of the head and neck. New York: Springer, 1987; 172-4

Thomson JE, Cohen SR, Reddix P. Retropharyngeal abscess in children: a retrospective and historical analysis. Laryngoscope 1988; 98: 589-92

Yeoh LH, Singh SD, Rogers JH. Retropharyngeal abscess in children’s hospital. J Laryngol Otol. 1985; 99: 555-66

Craig FW, Schunk JE. Retropharyngeal abscess in children: clinical presentation, utility of imaging, and current management. Pediatrics. 2003;111(6 Pt 1):1394-8.

Horner SG. Peritonsillar, peripharyngeal and deep neck abscesses. Postgrad Med J 1975; 57: 147-9

Maran AGD. Neck space infections. In: Maran AGD ed. LoganTurner’s Diseases of the Nose,Throat and Ear, 10th edn. Bombay: KM Varghese Co, 1988; 104-8

Husaru AD, Nedzelski JM. Retropharyngeal abscess and upper airway obstruction. J Otolaryngol 1979; 8: 443-447

Wholey MH, Bruwer AJ, Baker HL. The lateral roentenogram of the neck. Radiology 1958; 71: 350-6

Seid AB, Dunbar JS, Cotton RT. Retropharyngeal abscesses in children revisited. Laryngoscope 1979; 89: 1717-24

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 3 > >>