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[Retropharyngeal abscess for foreign body complicated by mediastinitis and pericarditis]

M Grijalba Uche1, J J Medina Solá, M A Saiz Calleja

  • 1Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Virgen del Camino, Pamplona.

Anales Otorrinolaringologicos Ibero-Americanos
|January 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Retropharyngeal abscesses are rare but can spread to the mediastinum. Early CT diagnosis and anterolateral cervicotomy are crucial for managing this severe infection.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) incidence has decreased with antibiotic use.
  • RPAs can arise from foreign body ingestion.
  • Infective mediastinitis is a rare but life-threatening complication.

Observation:

  • A case of RPA in an adult following foreign body ingestion.
  • The patient developed infective mediastinitis, pleural effusion, and pericarditis.
  • Infection spread via fascial planes or direct continuity.

Findings:

  • CT scan is vital for diagnosing RPA and assessing its extent.
  • Anterolateral cervicotomy is the preferred surgical approach for drainage.
  • Prompt surgical intervention is essential for managing mediastinitis.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering RPA in foreign body ingestion.
  • Emphasizes the role of advanced imaging in complex head and neck infections.
  • Underscores the effectiveness of specific surgical techniques in severe RPA complications.

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