Retropharyngeal abscesses in a children's hospital

Retropharyngeal abscess with mediastinal extension in an infant--still existing?

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the present case report was to note that despite the low incidence of retropharyngeal abscess in the present antibiotic era, children, especially infants, can develop this condition. If early diagnosis is missed, the abscess may extend into the mediastinum and can be life threatening.

METHODS

Case reports of mediastinal abscess in the past literature along with the current case.

RESULTS

The present case was successfully managed by surgical drainage of the abscess via transcervical route along with intravenous antibiotic therapy, and the recovery was uneventful.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the incidence of retropharyngeal abscess has declined with the widespread use of antibiotics, the presenting symptom can be overlooked in a pediatric population, especially infants, and can extend along the fascial planes to the mediastinum when the recovery becomes difficult. The present report is an effort to draw attention to this life-threatening complication of retropharyngeal abscess, emphasize the role of early diagnosis, and prompt surgical management.

Deep space infections of neck

A retrospective study was performed on fourteen cases of deep cervical space infections in the neck admitted for diagnosis and treatment to the ENT Department, during a period of seven years from 1989-1997. Of the fourteen, four patients had Ludwig's angina and of the fourteen, one had a very serious complication resulting in death. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment were of paramount importance. The role of tracheostomy and management of airway in deep cervical space infections of the neck is discussed to gether with bacteriology, antibiotic treatment and surgical management.

Retropharyngeal Abscess in Children: The Emerging Role of Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus

BACKGROUND

Because of a recent increase in the number of cases of retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) admitted to our hospital, we reviewed the incidence, microbiology, and treatment outcome of RPA during an 11-year period (1993-2003).

METHODS

A retrospective review of medical records of children with RPA.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven children (46 males) with RPA were identified, representing a 4.5-fold increase in incidence over a previous 12-year period. The majority (66%) of patients presented during the last 4 years. Computed tomography revealed inflammatory or ring enhancing lesion in all patients. Abscess drainage was performed in 51 (76%) patients. A total of 101 isolates (84 aerobes, 17 anaerobes) were recovered from 41 specimens (a mean of 2.5 isolates per specimen). Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) was recovered from 22 (54%) of 41 specimens compared with 6 (35%) of 17 over the previous 12 years. Treatment included i.v. antibiotics: ampicillin/sulbactam or clindamycin plus either cefuroxime or ceftriaxone, followed by oral amoxicillin/clavulanate or clindamycin. All patients recovered.

CONCLUSIONS

RPA, an aerobic/anaerobic polymicrobial infection, is increasing in frequency and is associated with increased recovery of GABHS in our patients. Whether this rise in incidence is due to increased invasiveness of GABHS strains is to be determined.

History of possible foreign body ingestion in children: don??t forget the rarities

Foreign body ingestion in children is a common presenting complaint to the emergency department. Although the majority of ingested foreign bodies pass through the gastrointestinal tract unaided, some children will require either non-surgical or surgical intervention. Retained oesophageal foreign bodies may cause a multitude of problems, including mucosal ulceration, inflammation or infection, and more seriously paraoesophageal or retropharyngeal abscess formation, mediastinitis, empyema, oesophageal perforation and aorta-oesophageal fistula formation. We present a case of a 12-month-old child in whom delayed diagnosis of glass ingestion resulted in the development of a retropharyngeal abscess, oesophageal perforation and mediastinitis. Such complications following foreign body ingestion in children are rare but potentially fatal. A high index of suspicion must be maintained in young children presenting with a possible history of foreign body ingestion as a delayed diagnosis may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We review the literature surrounding paediatric retropharyngeal abscesses and mediastinitis.

Clinical versus computed tomography evaluation in the diagnosis and management of deep neck infection

CONTEXT

Deep neck infections have high potential for severe complications and even death, if not properly managed. The difference between clinical and computed tomography findings may demonstrate that clinical evaluation alone underestimates disease extent, which may lead to conservative treatment with worse prognosis.

OBJECTIVE

To compare clinical and computed tomography findings from neck spaces affected by deep neck infections and to determine the main clinical and radiological features associated with these.

TYPE OF STUDY

Non-randomized retrospective study.

SETTING

Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck, Universidade Estadual de Campinas.

METHODS

Medical charts of 65 patients with deep neck infections were evaluated. Age, gender, clinical complaints, physical findings, computed tomography scan and x-ray imaging, microbiology, treatment and outcome were analyzed. All clinical signs and symptoms were evaluated and stratified in order of frequency. The frequency of neck space involvement in such infections was also assessed from the clinical and tomographic evaluation. All clinical and computed tomography findings were compared with surgical observation.

RESULTS

The most frequent clinical findings were neck swelling, local pain, erythema and locally increased temperature. Physical evaluation showed that the most affected site was the submandibular triangle (49.2% of cases). However, computed tomography showed this to be the lateropharyngeal space (65% of cases) and that more than one deep cervical space was compromised in 90% of cases, as demonstrated by the extent of swelling and increased contrast signs in soft tissue.

DISCUSSION

The most frequent clinical symptoms of deep cervical infections were cervical pain, increased cervical volume and fever. The important signs seen via computed tomography were increased contrast in soft neck tissues and swelling. Such examination is the most important method for correct evaluation of cervical spaces involved in infection, and thus for correct surgical drainage.

CONCLUSIONS

The most frequent clinical findings were cervical mass, neck pain, local erythema and locally increased temperature. Computed tomography demonstrated that the lateropharyngeal space was the most affected neck space. More than one deep neck space was compromised in 90% of cases. Clinical evaluation underestimated the extent of deep neck infection in 70% of patients.

Retropharyngeal abscess management in children: current practices

Retropharyngeal abscesses (RAs) in children are uncommon in the modern antibiotic era. As a result, there are few large series outlining the management of these infections in contemporary literature. The goal of this study is to determine the current standard of care for RA. The membership of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology was surveyed, and the response rate was 77.5%. Seventy-two percent of practitioners reported that CT is their preferred diagnostic method. Nearly two thirds recommended a trial of intravenous antibiotics at least occasionally for suspected RA before operative drainage was considered; 51% of respondents indicated that 20% to 40% of RA may resolve with antibiotics alone. Intraoral incision and drainage is the surgical technique preferred by 83% of respondents. Tracheotomy and short-term intubation (24 to 72 hours) are rarely required. This study defines current management practices for RA in children among pediatric otolaryngologists. Results are compared with those in the existing literature.

Retropharyngeal abscess: recent trends

Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is relatively rare today. A study of 17 cases of RPA treated at our hospital in the past 10 years showed a shift in the disease from children below 6 years of age (41%) to older children and adults (58%). Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) was found to be the commonest (52%) aetiological predisposing factor in all age groups. Other aetiological factors were septicaemia (11%) in children below the age of 6 years and trauma due to foreign body (35%) in the older children and adult age groups. Klebsiella, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus were the commonest species of microorganisms grown from pus. The changing clinical trends, microbiology, choice of antibiotics, usefulness of radiology, and complications of this potentially fatal illness are discussed.

Supraglottic airway infections

Supraglottic infections are included among the more serious pediatric infections, although they are less common than other pediatric respiratory infections. Supraglottic infections include epiglottis (supraglottitis), retropharyngeal cellulitis, retropharyngeal abscess, and peritonsillar abscess. A high index of suspicion combined with rapid diagnosis and treatment are crucial to reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with these infections. A review of these infections, including diagnosis and treatment, is presented.

Adult retropharyngeal abscess: a case report and review of the literature

The case of an 18-yr-old otherwise healthy adult with retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) presenting with sore throat and syncope is reported. The case illustrates that sore throat with symptoms out of proportion to oropharyngeal findings should prompt a search for pathology other than simple pharyngitis. A literature search for case reports of RPA in adults was done to derive characterizations about this disease. Adult RPA patients present with sore throat, dysphagia, neck pain and, less commonly, stridor. Adult RPA occurs as a complication of procedures or blunt trauma to the neck, or spread of infection from an adjacent focus. The incidence of underlying disease causing immunosuppression is high. RPA in adults without history of preceding trauma or coexistent illness is unusual.

Retropharyngeal abscess

Of 31 children with retropharyngeal abscess treated at this hospital between 1954 and 1990, 17 (55%) were 12 months old or less and 10 (32%) less than 6 months. Three of these 10 children were neonates, only one of whom had a predisposing congenital lesion. Fourteen children (45%) had a preceding upper respiratory illness and four (13%) had a prior history of pharyngeal trauma or ingestion of a foreign body. In children less than 1 year old the clinical presentation was usually classical with fever, neck swelling, stridor, and pharyngeal swelling. Significantly fewer children over 1 year had neck swelling and no child over 3 years old had stridor. A lateral radiograph of the neck, when performed, had a sensitivity of 88% in diagnosis. Bacteria isolated included pure growths of Staphylococcus aureus (25%), klebsiella species (13%), group A streptococcus (8%), and a mixture of Gram negative and anaerobic organisms (38%). There were two deaths. In six cases (24%) the abscess recurred necessitating further surgical drainage.

Pre-suppurative phase of retropharyngeal infection: contribution of ultrasonography in the diagnosis and treatment

Pre-suppurative phase of retropharyngeal infection can't be differentiated from retropharyngeal abscess clinically or radiographically. Ultrasound, however, can diagnose this common infection in early phase. Early antibacterial treatment prevents the suppurative phase, obviates surgery and shortens the hospitalization phase.