Retropharyngeal abscess in adults

ABSTRACT

Ten patients with retropharyngeal abscess treated over a period of 6 years between 1988 to 1993 were studied. Five of these patients had tuberculous disease of cervical vertebrae, 3 cases were traumatic in origin, 2 caused by perforating foreign bodies and one during intubation. The remaining 2 cases were result of sepsis in the upper aerodigestive tract. High doses of intravenous antibiotics directed towards the causative micro-organisms and coverage was given to the anaerobes as well. In addition to this, antitubercular regimen was started in tuberculous disease of cervical spines. Adequate airway control and early surgical intervention was the main stay of treatment. All the patients underwent surgical drainage of the retropharyngeal abscess within 24 hours of admission. Morbidity period was very short due to adequate medical and surgical treatment, 8 patients had wonderful recovery and were discharged 4-33 days [mean 15.3 days] from the date of their admission. Two of them developed potentially fatal complications. One of them developed pyopneumothorax and the other who was diabetic as well developed mediastinitis. Early surgical drainage and adequate medical treatment remain the most appropriate methods of treating retropharyngeal space abscess it avoids life threatening complications with rapid recovery