[Retropharyngeal abscesses: a retrospective analysis of 10 patients].
OBJECTIVE
Retropharyngeal abscess is a serious and life-threatening disease due to its anatomic location and potential to obstruct the upper airway. We evaluated the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with retropharyngeal abscesses.


METHODS
The study included 10 patients (6 males, 4 females; mean age 9+/-11 years; range 4 months to 32 years) who received medical and surgical treatment with the diagnosis of retropharyngeal abscess. The patients were evaluated with respect to etiology, clinical symptoms and signs, treatment, complications, and hospital stay.


RESULTS
The most frequent etiological factor was upper airway infection (70%), followed by dental abscess in two patients (20%), and soft tissue injury due to foreign body ingestion in one patient (10%). The presenting symptoms and signs included dysphagia (100%), respiratory distress (80%), limited neck motion (80%), fever (60%), and neck pain (50%). Treatment consisted of surgical drainage and parenteral antibiotic combination of cefazolin sodium and metronidazole. The mean hospital stay was 7.1+/-5.3 days. Complications were seen in two patients, being empyema and upper airway obstruction, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical drainage combined with early antibiotic treatment is an effective method in the management of retropharyngeal abscesses and in preventing complications.
Karlidağ
Turgut
T
Department of Otolaryngology, Medicine Faculty of Firat University, Elaziğ, Turkey. turgut_karlidag@yahoo.com
Alpay
Hayrettin Cengiz
HC
Kaygusuz
Irfan
I
Keleş
Erol
E
Orhan
Israfil
I
Karlidağ
Gülden Eser
GE
Yalçin
Sinasi
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D002437:Cefazolin