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Parapharyngeal abscess in children: five year retrospective study
Pedro Miguel dos Santos Marques1, Jorge Eduardo Freitas Spratley, Laurentino Manuel Mendes Leal
1Hospital de S. João E.P.E, Porto University Medical School, Portugal.
Lateropharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscesses in children are serious infections. Prompt surgical drainage via a trans-oral approach, combined with antibiotics, leads to rapid recovery with no complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Infections
Background:
- Lateropharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscesses pose significant life-threatening risks to children.
- Early diagnosis and effective management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the causes, clinical presentations, and imaging findings of pediatric lateropharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscesses.
- To evaluate treatment outcomes and complications associated with a trans-oral surgical approach.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 11 pediatric patients diagnosed with lateropharyngeal or retropharyngeal abscesses over five years.
- Review of clinical charts and CT scans to assess patient data and imaging characteristics.
Main Results:
- The average age of affected children was 3.3 years, with neck stiffness and odynophagia as common symptoms.
- Surgical drainage via trans-oral approach within 48 hours resulted in 82% improvement within 48 hours and 100% within 72 hours, with no complications.
- Fever, stiff neck, oropharyngeal wall bulging, neck mass, and lymphadenopathy were prevalent physical findings.
Conclusions:
- Antibiotic therapy combined with timely surgical intervention is an effective treatment for refractory parapharyngeal abscesses in children.
- The trans-oral surgical approach demonstrates good clinical outcomes and a low complication rate.
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