MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Retropharyngeal abscess

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Retropharyngeal abscess

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Throat anatomy

Oropharynx

Definition Return to top

Retropharyngeal abscess is a collection of pus in the tissues in the back of the throat. See also peritonsillar abscess.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Retropharyngeal abscess generally affects children under age 5. Tissues at the back of the throat in young children allow a pus-filled space to form immediately behind the back of the throat. This area can become secondarily infected during or immediately following a bacterial sore throat.

The affected child, who may still have symptoms of the original sore throat, develops a high fever with an extremely severe sore throat. The pain causes difficulty swallowing and the expanding abscess may interfere with breathing. Complications can be life-threatening.

Retropharyngeal abscess requires immediate attention to prevent severe complications.

Symptoms Return to top

prior or present sore throat, infected nose, tooth abscesses
high fever
severe throat pain
difficulty swallowing
drooling
breathing difficulty
intercostal retractions (the muscles between the ribs pull in when breathing)
stridor (a high-pitched sound when inhaling)

Signs and tests Return to top

X-ray or CT scan of the neck (demonstrates pus filled space between throat and neck vertebrae)
Complete blood count (to check for an elevated white blood count)
Throat culture (to identify the infecting organism, such Group A strep or Staph)

Treatment Return to top

Surgical drainage of the abscess and high-dose intravenous antibiotics are used to treat the infection. The airway needs to be protected from becoming completely blocked by the swelling.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Full recovery is expected following prompt treatment.

Complications Return to top

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if you develop a high fever with severe throat pain. Breathing difficulty, intercostal retractions, and stridor indicate that an emergency situation is developing!

Prevention Return to top

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

Update Date: 7/30/2003

Updated by: Jason Newman, M.D., Department of Otolaryngology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Washington, DC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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