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</div><div><span>Retropharyngeal abscess</span></div></div>
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<article><div id="d-article"><div class="page-info"><div class="page-title"><a name="start" id="start">
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</a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Retropharyngeal abscess</h1>
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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>Retropharyngeal abscess is a collection of pus in the tissues in the back of the throat. It can be a life-threatening medical condition.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>Retropharyngeal abscess most often affects children under age 5, but it can occur at any age.</p><p>Infected material (pus) builds up in the space around the tissues at the back of the throat. This can occur during or very soon after a throat infection.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Symptoms include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003075.htm">Breathing difficulty</a></li><li>Difficulty swallowing</li><li><a test="test" href="./003048.htm">Drooling</a></li><li>High fever</li><li>High-pitched sound when inhaling (<a test="test" href="./003074.htm">stridor</a>)</li><li>Muscles between the ribs pull in when breathing (<a test="test" href="./003322.htm">intercostal retractions</a>)</li><li>Severe throat pain</li><li>Difficulty turning the head </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Exams and Tests</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>The health care provider will perform a physical exam and look inside the throat. The provider may gently rub the back of the throat with a cotton swab. This is to take a sample of tissue to check it more closely. It is called a <a test="test" href="./003746.htm">throat culture</a>.</p><p>Other tests may include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003642.htm">Complete blood count</a> (CBC)</li><li><a test="test" href="./003330.htm">CT scan</a> of the neck</li><li><a test="test" href="./003337.htm">X-ray</a> of the neck </li><li><a test="test" href="./003338.htm">Fiber optic endoscopy</a></li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Treatment</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>Surgery is needed to drain the infected area. Corticosteroids are sometimes given to reduce airway swelling. High-dose antibiotics are given through a vein (<a test="test" href="./002383.htm">intravenous</a>) to treat the infection.</p><p>The airway will be protected so that it does not become completely blocked by the swelling.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Outlook (Prognosis)</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>It is important to get medical help right away. This condition can lead to blockage of the airway. This is a life-threatening medical emergency. With prompt treatment, a full recovery is expected.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Possible Complications</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Complications may include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003075.htm">Airway obstruction</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./002216.htm">Aspiration</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./000081.htm">Mediastinitis</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./000437.htm">Osteomyelitis</a></li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>Contact your provider if you or your child develops a high fever with severe throat pain.</p><p>Get medical help right away if you have:</p><ul><li>Breathing trouble</li><li>High-pitched breathing sounds (stridor)</li><li>Retraction of the muscles between the ribs when breathing</li><li>Difficulty turning the head</li><li>Difficulty swallowing</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Prevention</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-8" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-8"><p>Prompt diagnosis and treatment of a sore throat or upper respiratory infection can prevent this problem.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1118t.jpg" alt="Throat anatomy" title="Throat anatomy" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1118.htm">Throat anatomy</a></li>
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/9555t.jpg" alt="Oropharynx" title="Oropharynx" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/9555.htm">Oropharynx</a></li>
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</ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>James P, Hanna S. Upper airway obstruction in children. In: Bersten AD, Handy JM, eds. <em>Oh's Intensive Care Manual.</em> 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 106.</p><p>Pappas DE, Hendley JO. Retropharyngeal abscess, lateral pharyngeal (parapharyngeal) abscess, and peritonsillar cellulitis/abscess. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. <em>Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.</em> 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 410.</p><p>Roginski MA, Atchinson PR. Upper respiratory tract infections. In: Walls RM, ed. <em>Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice</em>. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 61.</p></div></div></section>
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<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 11/29/2022</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.</p>
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