title: [Retropharyngeal abscesses: a retrospective analysis of 10 patients].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Medicine Faculty of Firat University, Elaziğ, Turkey. turgut_karlidag@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Turgut
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karlidağ
authors.forename: Hayrettin Cengiz
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Alpay
authors.forename: Irfan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kaygusuz
authors.forename: Erol
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Keleş
authors.forename: Israfil
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Orhan
authors.forename: Gülden Eser
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Karlidağ
authors.forename: Sinasi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yalçin
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D002437:Cefazolin