title: Retropharyngeal abscess in adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Retropharyngeal abscess in adults can be life-threatening. The otolaryngologist is on the front line in making the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. The aim of this study is to review the clinical features, the diagnostic tools and the management of retropharyngeal abscesses in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study of retropharyngeal abscesses in adults admitted in the ENT department from 2005 to 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total 4 patients were included in this study: mean age of 53 years (range 45 to 62 years), sex ration F/M = 3. Cultures obtained from the abscesses identified group A beta-hemolytic streptococci susceptible to amoxicilline-clavulanate in three cases. The treatment consisted in surgical drainage of the collection and intravenous antibiotics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retropharyngeal abscesses in adults are critical infections requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. Computed tomography scan was the crucial tool for the diagnosis, notably to differentiate cellulitis from abscesses. The management includes intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics associated, if necessary, with surgical drainage in cases of persistent abscess. The outcome is usually good.
authors.affiliation: Hassan II University Hospital, Department of ENT and HNS, Fès, Morocco. najib_dr@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Benmansour
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benali
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Poirrier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cherkaoui
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oudidi
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Elalami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents