title: Diagnosis and treatment of the retropharyngeal abscess in adults.
abstract: While the retropharyngeal space abscess is an extremely rare entity that may arise from odontogenic infections, its potential complications may be fatal. When infection of the retropharyngeal space occurs, urgent surgical and antibiotic therapy is required. A review of the anatomy, symptoms, treatment, diagnostic methods and complications is provided. As well, the successful treatment of a multispace odontogenic infection is discussed as a reminder that the retropharyngeal abscess does exist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, Ohio 44109.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Haug
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Picard
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Indresano
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D002981:Clindamycin; D010400:Penicillin G; D014031:Tobramycin