title: Nonsurgical management of parapharyngeal space infections: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Parapharyngeal infections, which can potentially cause life-threatening complications, may, in certain cases, be treated conservatively with no need for surgical drainage. A review of the literature reveals that the most recommended treatment of parapharyngeal infection is surgical drainage combined with intravenous antibiotic therapy. Several retrospective reports recommend conservative treatment with no surgical drainage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, nonrandomized.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was performed on all patients with an infection limited to the parapharyngeal space.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients presented with clinical and radiological diagnosis of parapharyngeal infection during a 5-year period. Five patients showed obvious presence of pus in other spaces and therefore were excluded. Seven patients with no gross extension into other spaces and with no respiratory distress or septic shock were treated with intravenous amoxicillinclavulanic acid for 9 to 14 days (average period, 11 days). All patients except one were children. All were cured with conservative management, and no surgical drainage was needed. None had any complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results confirm the effectiveness of nonsurgical treatment of infections limited to the parapharyngeal space, at least in the pediatric population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Jean-Yves
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Sichel
authors.forename: Itshac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dano
authors.forename: Eitan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hocwald
authors.forename: Adi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biron
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eliashar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination