Low urgency
-Moderately severe
It is an accumulation of pus in the back of the throat, usually caused by a local infection of bacterial origin. It is more frequent in children under 5 years of age.
It manifests with fever, intense throat pain and difficulty in swallowing.
The diagnosis is clinical by interrogation and physical examination. Diagnosis is confirmed by blood tests and imaging, usually a CT scan.
Antibiotic treatment should be started early. If there is difficulty in breathing and the passage of air generates a sound (stridor), or symptoms do not improve, it is very likely that the pus needs surgical drainage and is considered a life-threatening emergency.
- Ellen R Wald. Retropharyngeal infections in children. UpToDate. Mar 11, 2016.
- Tebruegge M, Curtis N. Infections related to the upper and middle airways. In: Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 3rd ed, Long SS, Pickering LK, Prober CG (Eds), Elsevier Saunders, New York 2012. p.205.
- Martin CA, Gabrillargues J, Louvrier C, et al. Contribution of CT scan and CT-guided aspiration in the management of retropharyngeal abscess in children based on a series of 18 cases. Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis 2014; 131:277.
- Vivas MF, Velasco R, Fernández MA. Dificultad respiratoria en el niño. Manual de protocolos y actuación en urgencias. Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo. Tercera edición. 2010: 1279-1286
- Saluja S, Brietzke SE, Egan KK, et al. A prospective study of 113 deep neck infections managed using a clinical practice guideline. Laryngoscope 2013; 123:3211.
Dr. Sara Vitoria
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