Retropharyngeal abscess (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Retropharyngeal abscess is a collection of pus in the tissues in the back of the throat. It is a potentially life-threatening medical condition.

What are the symptoms of Retropharyngeal abscess?

Breathing difficulty
Difficulty swallowing
Drooling
High fever
High-pitched sound when inhaling (stridor)
Muscles between the ribs pull in when breathing (intercostal retractions)
Severe throat pain

What causes Retropharyngeal abscess?

Infected material (pus) builds up in the space around the tissues at the back of the throat. This can occur during or immediately after a throat infection.

Who is at highest risk?

Retropharyngeal abscess generally affects children under age 5, but it can occur at any age.

Diagnosis

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and look inside the throat. The doctor or nurse may gently rub the back of the throat with a cotton swab, so that a sample of tissue can be more closely examined. This is called a throat culture.

Other tests may include:

Complete blood count (CBC)
CT scan of the neck
X-ray of the neck

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if you or your child develops a high fever with severe throat pain.

Seek immediate medical help if you have:

Breathing difficulty
High-pitched breathing sounds (stridor)
Muscles between the ribs pull in when breathing (intercostal retractions)

Treatment options

Surgery is needed to drain the infected area. Corticosteroids are sometimes given to reduce airway swelling. High-dose antibiotics are given through a vein (intravenous) to treat the infection.

The airway will be protected so that it does not become completely blocked by the swelling.

Where to find medical care for Retropharyngeal abscess?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Retropharyngeal abscess

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

It is important to get immediate medical help. This condition can lead to blockage of the airway, which can be life-threatening. With prompt treatment, you can make a full recovery.

Possible complications

Airway obstruction
Aspiration
Mediastinitis
Osteomyelitis

This list may not include all types of complications.

Prevention of Retropharyngeal abscess

Prompt diagnosis and treatment of pharyngitis or upper respiratory infections will generally prevent retropharyngeal abscess.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000984.htm

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