• A retropharyngeal abscess happens when bacteria grow in the lymph nodes behind the throat. (kidshealth.org)
  • The "classic" retropharyngeal abscess observed in pediatric patients occurs when an upper respiratory infection (URI) spreads to retropharyngeal lymph nodes, forming chains in the retropharyngeal space on either side of the superior constrictor muscle. (medscape.com)
  • Most infections result from pharyngitis or supraglottitis and occur because of suppuration of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes, which lie in two paramedian chains and drain various nasopharyngeal structures and sinuses. (unboundmedicine.com)
  • Retropharyngeal abscesses develop in the retropharyngeal lymph nodes at the back of the pharynx, adjacent to the vertebrae. (msdmanuals.com)
  • They occur mainly in children 1 to 8 years because the retropharyngeal lymph nodes begin to recede by 4 to 5 years. (msdmanuals.com)
  • Retropharyngeal abscess commonly develops among infants and small children, and is associated with the severe inflammation of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes located in the retropharyngeal space. (elsevierpure.com)
  • A retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is a rare, yet dangerous, deep neck space infection characterized by a collection of pus located in the retropharyngeal space (the space behind the hypopharynx and esophagus). (logicalimages.com)
  • This infection can also spread contiguously from a focus of vertebral osteomyelitis or epidural abscess . (logicalimages.com)
  • Cervical osteomyelitis - More likely if there is not an obvious peritonsillar abscess seen on imaging. (logicalimages.com)
  • Extension of infection into this space can arise from vertebral body osteomyelitis or a dental abscess. (unboundmedicine.com)
  • Authors herein describe a retropharyngeal abscess with central skull base osteomyelitis in a girl of 7 who presented with progressive headache and neck pain. (acquaintpublications.com)
  • Adult Pyogenic Vertebral Osteomyelitis, also known as spondylodiskitis, represents a spectrum of spinal infections including discitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, and epidural abscess. (orthobullets.com)
  • [ 1 ] Emergency department (ED) management of retropharyngeal abscess includes attention to the airway, fluid resuscitation if necessary, antibiotic treatment, and preparation for an emergency operation, if indicated. (medscape.com)
  • This report highlights the importance of prompt recognition of a threatened airway and the management of retropharyngeal abscess by emergency physicians. (bvsalud.org)
  • Parapharyngeal space communicates with retropharyngeal space and an infection of retropharyngeal space can pass down behind the esophagus into the mediastinum. (wikipedia.org)
  • Retropharyngeal abscess, lateral pharyngeal (parapharyngeal) abscess, and peritonsillar cellulitis/abscess. (medlineplus.gov)
  • Bounded posteriorly by the alar fascia, the retropharyngeal space is bounded laterally by the carotid sheaths and parapharyngeal spaces. (medscape.com)
  • Findings are typical for retropharyngeal abscess formation , which is is a potentially life-threatening infection involving the retropharyngeal space that requires prompt diagnosis and aggressive therapy. (radiopaedia.org)
  • The authors present a case report of a 19-month-old child who presented with the common clinical features of a retropharyngeal abscess and in whom the diagnosis was not established by examination and ultrasonography. (uea.ac.uk)
  • CONCLUSION: In retropharyngeal abscess, a delay in diagnosis can result in life-threatening complications. (bvsalud.org)
  • citation needed] High-dose intravenous antibiotics are required in order to control the infection and reduce the size of the abscess prior to surgery. (wikipedia.org)
  • A retropharyngeal (reh-tro-fah-RIN-jee-ul) abscess is an infection that forms behind the back wall of the throat. (kidshealth.org)
  • An abscess can form after a child has an ear infection , throat infection , or sinus infection . (kidshealth.org)
  • These anatomic relations can allow an infection of the retropharyngeal space to spread to the mediastinum, leading to potentially fatal mediastinitis. (medscape.com)
  • Penetrating trauma can also be involved in retropharyngeal space infection. (medscape.com)
  • Complications of retropharyngeal abscess arise from mass effect, rupture of the abscess, or spread of infection. (medscape.com)
  • Symptoms and signs of a retropharyngeal abscess are usually preceded in children by an acute upper respiratory infection and in adults by foreign body ingestion or instrumentation. (msdmanuals.com)
  • Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is a deep space neck infection that can present with subtle signs and symptoms. (bvsalud.org)
  • Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) produces the symptoms of sore throat, fever, neck stiffness, and stridor. (medscape.com)
  • What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Retropharyngeal Abscess? (kidshealth.org)
  • A doctor usually can diagnose a retropharyngeal abscess based on symptoms and by examining a child's mouth, throat, and neck. (kidshealth.org)
  • Retropharyngeal blemish's clinical symptoms are generally non-specific, including fever, neck swelling/pain, drooling, swallowing difficulties, and the most common presentation is bulging of the posterior aspect of the oropharyngeal wall in 37 % of cases. (acquaintpublications.com)
  • Presence of fever, progressive worsening of symptoms, deviated uvula and trismus suggest possible peritonsillar abscess (quinsy). (bsac.org.uk)
  • Retropharyngeal cellulitis - CT scan will be able to differentiate (no evidence of fluid). (logicalimages.com)
  • Cellulitis of the retropharyngeal area leads to formation of a phlegmon, which matures into an abscess. (unboundmedicine.com)
  • CT can help diagnose questionable cases, help differentiate cellulitis from an abscess, and assess extent of the abscess. (msdmanuals.com)
  • He has severe pharyngitis on exam an you are concerned that he may have a retro pharyngeal abscess. (sinaiem.org)
  • Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is an abscess located in the tissues in the back of the throat behind the posterior pharyngeal wall (the retropharyngeal space). (wikipedia.org)
  • Peritonsillar abscess (quinsy) - Will be evident on imaging and clinical examination (deviation of uvula). (logicalimages.com)
  • If peritonsillar abscess (quinsy), ENT team may decide on early aspiration in older children. (bsac.org.uk)
  • If clinical deterioration despite 24 hours Abx or persisting fever/no clinical improvement despite 48 hours Abx, consider quinsy or retropharyngeal abscess. (bsac.org.uk)
  • The retropharyngeal space is posterior to the pharynx, bound by the buccopharyngeal fascia anteriorly, the prevertebral fascia posteriorly, and the carotid sheaths laterally. (medscape.com)
  • Examination revealed no bulging of the pharynx as would have been expected with an abscess, and she remained negative for leukocytosis. (tidsskriftet.no)
  • Infections of the retropharyngeal space can extend to involve the lateral pharyngeal space and the carotid sheath. (logicalimages.com)
  • Of specific interest is the group of lateral retropharyngeal nodes at the base of the skull that bear the name of French anatomist Henri Rouviere. (medscape.com)
  • Both types of abscesses are well demonstrated on lateral soft tissue neck x-ray or CT scan. (entcentergr.com)
  • A tonsillectomy approach is typically used to access/drain the abscess, and the outcome is usually positive. (wikipedia.org)
  • Doctors will give IV (into a vein) antibiotics and might need to do surgery to drain the abscess. (kidshealth.org)
  • Retropharyngeal abscesses should also be addressed as early as possible since mortality increases in the setting of airway compromise and oropharyngeal narrowing. (acquaintpublications.com)
  • Infections can additionally reach the mediastinum via spread in the retropharyngeal space or via the "danger space," which lies between the alar and prevertebral fascia. (logicalimages.com)
  • Retropharyngeal abscesses are deep neck space infections that can pose an immediate life-threatening emergency, with potential for airway compromise and other catastrophic complications. (medscape.com)
  • Infections of the prevertebral or retropharyngeal space are often characterized by noisy breathing, "hot potato" voice, dysphagia and odynophagia. (entcentergr.com)
  • TBM must be differentiated not only from other forms of acute and subacute meningitis but also from conditions such as viral infections and cerebral abscess. (medscape.com)
  • A 4-year-old girl suffered from severe retropharyngeal abscess spreading through the deep cervical fascia, as judged by magnetic resonance imaging of the neck. (elsevierpure.com)
  • Acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle is an aseptic inflammatory process in the cervical prevertebral space and an important mimicker of retropharyngeal abscess and spondylodiscitis. (tidsskriftet.no)
  • A 40-year old woman was admitted to her local hospital with suspected cervical spondylodiscitis or retropharyngeal abscess. (tidsskriftet.no)
  • A retropharyngeal abscess was suspected, and the patient was referred for a cervical CT with intravenous contrast. (tidsskriftet.no)
  • A cervical MRI confirmed the presence of fluid in the retropharyngeal space and oedema in the prevertebral soft tissue but ruled out spondylodiscitis (Figure 2). (tidsskriftet.no)
  • For the past 20 years or so my family has lived without the assistance of commercial medicines or doctors, except for things like broken arms and emergency surgeries on retro-pharyngeal abscesses. (blogherald.com)
  • Surgery in adults may be done without general anesthesia because there is a risk of abscess rupture during tracheal intubation. (wikipedia.org)
  • The most serious consequences include airway obstruction, septic shock, rupture of the abscess into the airway resulting in aspiration pneumonia or asphyxia, mediastinitis, carotid rupture, and suppurative thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular veins (Lemierre syndrome). (msdmanuals.com)
  • Retropharyngeal space extends from base of skull to mediastinum at level of tracheal bifurcation. (medscape.com)
  • Medicine Central , im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/Select-5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/14184/all/Retropharyngeal_Abscess. (unboundmedicine.com)
  • Foreign bodies (for example, fishbones) have been implicated in penetrating trauma to the retropharyngeal space. (medscape.com)
  • The prevertebral and retropharyngeal spaces are posterior separated by the alar fascia. (entcentergr.com)
  • Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is an uncommon condition with the potential for significant morbidity and mortality if not detected early. (uea.ac.uk)
  • CT scan with IV contrast is the ultimate modality to diagnose an abscess in the emergency department. (acquaintpublications.com)
  • The typical radiological features of an abscess were absent, with no contrast enhancement around the fluid collection, nor gas bubbles or lymphadenopathy. (tidsskriftet.no)
  • X-ray of the neck often (80% of the time) shows swelling of the retropharyngeal space in affected individuals. (wikipedia.org)
  • If the retropharyngeal space is more than half of the size of the C2 vertebra, it may indicate retropharyngeal abscess. (wikipedia.org)
  • Kawasaki disease - In children, this disease is often associated with a fluid collection in the retropharyngeal space (without rim enhancement). (logicalimages.com)
  • Two other potential spaces (the danger space and prevertebral space) are in close proximity to the retropharyngeal space. (medscape.com)
  • CT revealed a fluid collection in the retropharyngeal space and a calcific deposition in the longus colli muscle consistent with calcific tendinitis. (tidsskriftet.no)
  • This revealed a thin collection of fluid in the retropharyngeal space and a small, round calcification at the lower edge of the anterior arch of atlas (Figure 1). (tidsskriftet.no)
  • Abscess formation in the retropharyngeal space tends to lie slightly to the side because of the midline raphe. (entcentergr.com)
  • [4] If left untreated, aspiration pneumonia can progress to form a lung abscess . (mdwiki.org)
  • A tracheostomy may be required as definitive airway management in patients with retropharyngeal abscess and respiratory distress, but this may also be technically challenging due to edema and inflammation. (medscape.com)
  • Retropharyngeal hematoma - Patients may have a history of trauma or be at increased risk of bleeding due to anticoagulation. (logicalimages.com)
  • thus, retropharyngeal abscesses are most common in infancy and early childhood. (unboundmedicine.com)
  • Retropharyngeal abscess most often affects children under age 5, but it can occur at any age. (medlineplus.gov)
  • Antibiotics, such as a broad-spectrum cephalosporin (eg, ceftriaxone 50 to 75 mg/kg IV once/day) or clindamycin , may occasionally be sufficient for children with small abscesses. (msdmanuals.com)