Juliet Cohen writes articles for Diseases. She also writes articles for Makeup and Hairstyles.
A retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is a collection of pus in the lymph nodes at the back of the throat. It is a potentially life-threatening medical condition. RPA, once almost exclusively a disease of children, is observed with increasing frequency in adults. Retropharyngeal abscess generally affects children under age 5. Infected material (pus) builds up in the space around the tissues at the back of the throat. This can occur during or immediately following a throat infection. An abscess is usually caused by a bacterial infection that has spread from the tonsils, throat, sinuses, adenoids, nose, or middle ear. Many infections are caused by a combination of bacteria. An injury to the back of the throat from a sharp object, such as a fish bone, occasionally causes a retropharyngeal abscess.
The retropharyngeal space is posterior to the pharynx, bound by the buccopharyngeal fascia anteriorly, the prevertebral fascia posteriorly, and the carotid sheaths laterally. It extends superiorly to the base of the skull and inferiorly to the mediastinum. RPA can cause sepsis and airway compromise. The main symptoms are difficulty and pain when swallowing, a fever, and enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck. The voice is muffled, and children may drool. The neck may be stiff, and children may hold their head at an angle. The abscess can block the airway, making breathing difficult and noisy, particularly when children inhale (called stridor). Children may lie on their back, tilt their head and neck back, and raise their chin to make breathing easier.
RPA is more common in males than in females, with generally reported male preponderance of 53-55%. Complications include bleeding around the abscess, rupture of the abscess into the airway (which can block the airway), and pneumonia. The voice box (larynx) may go into spasm and further tamper with breathing. Blood clots may form in the jugular veins of the neck. Infection may spread down into the chest. Sometimes widespread inflammation and infection of the bloodstream occurs, causing organs to malfunction (a condition called septic shock). Retropharyngeal abscesses often need to be drained surgically. Surgery is needed to drain the infected area. High-dose intravenous antibiotics are used to treat the infection. Intravenous administration of a semisynthetic penicillin (eg, nafcillin) is recommended.
Retropharyngeal Abscess Treatment and Prevention Tips
1. High-dose intravenous antibiotics are used to treat the infection.
2. Endotracheal intubation may be required if the patient has signs of upper airway obstruction.
3. Cricothyrotomy (surgical or needle) may be required in the patient with upper airway obstruction.
4. Intravenous fluids are required if the patient is dehydrated because of fever and difficulty swallowing.
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
Knowing More Types Of Diabetes
By: Allen | 18/12/2009iabetes is a serious disease that occurs due to lack of insulin in body. The insulin is hormone that helps in extracting glucose from blood, thereby providing energy to body. If this function does not take place due to some reason, resulting disease is termed as diabetes. It is more prevalent among obese and middle aged population.
Walk Fit Platinum Review - Foot Pain Relief
By: Sabrina Alba | 18/12/2009Foot pain can be bothersome. Although medications provides relief, one often becomes dependent on medicines so people suffering from foot pain continue to search for other solutions that can provide permanent relief as well as correct whatever condition that results to foot pain.
How To Stop Foot Pain - Walk Fit Platinum
By: Sabrina Alba | 18/12/2009Foot Pain can be the worst feeling one can experience. If you have foot pain you cannot get to walk and do the things you can do freely. You would be stuck in reality that your foot pain is making you immobile. How to stop foot pain? Is it easy to cure and manage? Pain limits our activities so it is very important not to disregard whatever pain we feel especially in our feet.
7 Steps to Stop Excessive Groin Sweating
By: Jason Ellis | 18/12/2009If the embarrassment of groin sweating isn’t enough to make you search for an alternative solution, certainly the discomfort is. The constant perspiration in your groin and inner thighs causes TERRIBLE irritation, rashes, dryness, odor and a whole bunch of other problems. Here, you’ll discover the 7 most effective and useful tactics for putting groin sweat to bed and PRONTO. Let’s get started and stop the sweat for good!
Diseases and Conditions FAQ
By: healthfaq | 18/12/2009103 disorientation surrounded by a 5 year dated Please aid? I took my son to the E.R. Last night because of it. They said ear infection. The fever is for a time better but not much. Thats with him taking tylenol every for 4 to 6 hours and other ideas. I be also told to...
Laser Hair Removal
By: Mike Matthews | 17/12/2009When it comes to body hair removal, a laser hair removal treatment is by far the most effective and permanent method available. In order to understand this procedure further, listed below we have the top 5 questions and answers about laser hair removal. 1. How does laser hair removal work? A laser hair removal treatment uses specially designed laser to heat the hair follicles and render them inactive. The energy from the lasers used is absorbed by the pigment in the hair ...
Laser Hair Removal Tips
By: Mike Matthews | 17/12/2009So you have decided to immerse yourself in the fantasy of luxurious beauty that is going to define you as you go through the laser hair removal treatment. But the journey of the experience starts much before the actual permanent hair removal solution starts. There are several steps that you need to take before and after the laser hair treatment which will ensure that you have a quick, permanent and safe hair removal solution. Whether you are looking for laser hair, nyc or you...
Dry Skin Relief - Follow These Natural Cures
By: Hunter Elliott | 17/12/2009Dry skin is something that affects a lot of people all over the world. But what most do not realize is that there are cures for this. You can do things at home which will actually help you.
Detailed Information on Necrotizing Enterocolitis
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Diseases & ConditionsNecrotizing enterocolitis is the death of intestinal tissue. The illness is most common among premature newborns. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) occurs in approximately 25,000 babies per year.
Detailed Information on Measles
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Alternative MedicineMeasles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious. Measles is a fatal disease that impacts vulnerable children around the world. Measles is a contagious illness caused by a virus (paramyxovirus).
Detailed Information on Mastocytosis
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Alternative MedicineMastocytosis is known as Urticaria Pigmentosa (UP). Mastocytosis is a disorder that may occur in both children and adults. Mastocytosis can arise in people of any age.
Detailed Information on Marfan Syndrome
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Diseases & ConditionsMarfan syndrome is an inherited disorder that affects connective tissue the fibers that provide the framework and support for your body.
Detailed Information on Malaria
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Alternative MedicineMalaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite, Plasmodium, which infects red blood cells. Infected mosquitoes spread it. People with malaria frequently experience fever, chills, and flu-like disease.
Detailed Information on Malakoplakia
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Diseases & ConditionsMalakoplakia is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory disorder. Malakoplakia is inflammatory condition which makes its presence known as a papule, plaque or ulceration that generally affects the genitourinary tract.
Detailed Information on Maffucci Syndrome
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Diseases & ConditionsMaffucci syndrome is a really rare disorder. Maffucci syndrome is a disorder which affects the skin and skeleton, causing benign cartilage tumors, bone deformities, and dark hemangiomas to grow
Detailed Information on Nelson Syndrome
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Diseases & ConditionsNelson's syndrome is a rare condition. Nelson syndrome is a disorder characterized by abnormal hormone secretion, extension of the pituitary gland (hypophysis), and the development of big and invasive growths known as adenomas.