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[Retropharyngeal abscess in children]
Pauline Vinckenbosch1, Pierre Guilcher1, Karma Lambercy1
1Service d'ORL et de chirurgie cervico-faciale, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne.
Insights
Retropharyngeal abscesses, pus collections behind the throat, present with fever and difficulty swallowing. Surgical intervention is recommended for larger abscesses or worsening symptoms to prevent life-threatening complications.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- A retropharyngeal abscess is a serious infection characterized by pus accumulation posterior to the pharyngeal wall.
- Key clinical manifestations include torticollis, fever (pyrexia), and pain upon swallowing (odynophagia).
- Etiologies range from upper respiratory infections and penetrating pharyngeal trauma to idiopathic causes.
Abstract:
A retropharyngeal abscess is a collection of pus located behind the posterior pharyngeal wall. Main symptoms include torticoli, pyrexia and odynodysphagia. It can be secondary to upper airway infections, pharyngeal penetrating trauma or idiopathic. Complications are rare, but may be life-threatening due to airway obstruction or infection's spread to the surrounding structures. Surgery is conducted in case of abscess > 2 cm on CT scan images, complication or worsening of the symptoms. This article presents a clinical case with literature review.
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