title: Conservative treatment of retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess in children.
abstract: Parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal infections, which can potentially cause life-threatening complications, could be treated conservatively with no need for surgical drainage. A retrospective analysis of all patients diagnosed with retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal infections was performed. Information regarding age, sex, presenting symptoms, physical examination, laboratory and imaging evaluations, management, duration of hospital stay, and complications were reviewed. Seven children were identified, 4 with retropharyngeal abscess and 3 with parapharyngeal abscess. All but 1 patient were under 7 years old, and all were treated with intravenous amoxicilin/clavulanic acid and corticosteroids. Torticollis and fever were present in all the patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 7 days. There were no complications associated. We demonstrate that retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses can be treated medically, reserving the surgical drainage for complicated cases. Treatment with intravenous antibiotics and corticosteroids is a safe option, reducing the durations of symptoms and the length of hospital stay.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. acocapelaz@yahoo.es
authors: Andrés Coca
authors: AC
authors: Pelaz
authors: Ana Vivanco
authors: AV
authors: Allende
authors: Jose Luis
authors: JL
authors: Llorente Pendás
authors: Carlos Suárez
authors: CS
authors: Nieto
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D007052:Ibuprofen