Retropharyngeal abscess: clinical review.
Retropharyngeal abscess, once a relatively common entity in children, is uncommon today. From 1981 to 1991, we treated 20 cases. Abscesses secondary to upper respiratory infection in children were seen only in three (15%) cases. Trauma and foreign bodies were the most common etiologic factors in the adult subgroup. Streptococcus viridans and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most common pathogens. The use of contrast-enhanced computed tomography has had a significant impact on the diagnostic work-up. The choice of initial antibiotic therapy is discussed. There were no deaths in this series.
Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Center, Brooklyn/Long Island College Hospital 11201, USA.
J
J
Pontell
G
G
Har-El
F E
FE
Lucente
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008875:Middle Aged; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents