title: Retropharyngeal abscess: a clinical experience at the University College Hospital Ibadan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infection within the retropharyngeal space could progress on to an abscess formation resulting into retropharyngeal abscess (RPA), which can either be acute or chronic. RPA can be a life-threatening emergency, with potential for airway compromise and other catastrophic complications. This review is aimed at highlighting our experience with patients with a diagnosis of retropharyngeal abscess.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of thirty patients with a confirmed diagnosis of retropharyngeal abscess, who were admitted and managed within an eleven-year period (1993 to 2003) in the Otolaryngology department of the University College Hospital Ibadan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were fifteen males and females each with M:F ratio of 1:1, consisting of twenty-five children and five adults and their median age was 21 months and twenty three (77%) were younger than 5 years. It was observed that while the adult patients presented early for specialist treatment, the paediatric patients presented late. The major complaints were fever (87%), respiratory distress or stridor (57%), cough (53%), neck pain/swelling (43%), and refusal of feeds (30%). Other minor complaints were throat pain, difficulty in swallowing, anorexia, and weight loss. The commonest associated symptoms seen especially among the younger age group were nasal discharge, nasal blockage, tooth-ache, snoring and limitation of neck movement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The treatment of retropharyngeal space infections in children and adults should include accurate clinical diagnosis, empirical usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and timely surgical drainage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, College of Medicine University of Ibadan and University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O G B
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Nwaorgu
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Onakoya
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fasunla
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Ibekwe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*