DEFINITION
Retrofaringeal abscess is an accumulation of pus in the
lymph nodes in the back of the throat.
CAUSE
Abscesses are usually caused by a bacterial infection
originating from the tonsils, throat, sinuses, adenoids, nose or middle ear.
Sometimes an injury to the back of the throat due to thorn fish can also cause
abscesses retrofaringeal. Although rare, retrofaringel abscess can also be
caused by tuberculosis bacteria.
Because the lymph nodes in the back of the throat disappear
after childhood, then retrofaringeal abscesses are more common in children than
in adults. This infection can occur during or immediately after a throat
infection by bacteria.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms that may occur include:
- History sore throat, nasal infection or abscess tooth
- High fever
- Difficulty and pain when swallowing, so saliva can flow
out
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
- Unclear voice
- Stiff neck
- Children can seem tilted his head
- Intercostal retraction (withdrawal of the muscles between
the ribs when the patient tries hard to breathe
- An abscess can block the airway, so that the child becomes
difficult to breathe and wheezing, especially when breathing
COMPLICATIONS
Complications that can occur include:
·
bleeding around the abscess
·
rupture of the abscess into the airway (which
can clog the airway)
·
pneumonia
·
the formation of a blood clot in a large vein in
the neck (jugular vein)
·
the spread of infection to the chest
·
infection enter the bloodstream and can lead to
malfunctioning of the organs of the body (septic shock)
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is based on symptoms and physical examination.
X-rays or CT scan of the neck may show pus-filled cavity between the throat and
the cervical spine.
Blood tests showed an increased number of white blood cells
and cultured throat mucus can indicate the presence of the causative organism.
TREATMENT
To overcome the infection, need surgery to remove the pus
(drainage) and high doses of antibiotics given intravenously.
PREVENTION
Diagnosis and appropriate treatment in pharyngitis and
nasopharyngeal infection can usually prevent abscess retrofaringeal.
REFERENCE
- W, Geoffery A. retropharyngeal abscess. Merck Manual Home
Health Handbook. 2006.
- S, Seth. Retropharyngeal abscess. Medline Plus. 2012.
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