ABSTRACT

Background: Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is a deep neck infection that may have potentially serious complications, such as mediastinitis, airway compromise, invasion to neighbouring zones and sepsis. Infectious agents can get to the retropharyngeal space by contiguous nasopharynx, nasal sinus, molar or ear infections. Retropharyngeal infection has shown a higher incidence in 3- to 4-year old children, due to the common ear, nose and throat infections in this age group.
Objective: The aim of the present study is to analyse the cases of RPA through a 39-year period in our paediatric institution.
Methods: 27 RPA cases were studied, 19 were less than 4 years old. In 26 patients, fever was the main symptom, as well as increase in the volume of the abscess in 24 cases, localized pain in 22, irritability in 6, coughing in 5 and hyporexia in 10 of them.
Results: Abscess size and invasion was evaluated by AP and posterior radiography, as well as CT and ultrasound exams. Only in 11 cases, the infectious agent could be isolated and identified as Staphylococcus aureus. Abscess complications were observed in 4 cases, since the remaining were treated successfully with clindamicin.
Conclusions: Even ARF is a disease with low frequency, with most of cases in young children, an adequate diagnosis and treatment offers a good prognostic without complications.

KEYWORDS

Antibiotics, children, infection, retropharyngeal abscess.

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