Hyopharyngeal abscess

Hyperal abscess (retropharyngeal abscess) is formed as a result of suppuration of the lymph nodes and pharyngeal pharynx space. Infection penetrates the lymphatic pathways from the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, auditory tube and middle ear. Sometimes an abscess is a complication of influenza, measles, scarlet fever, and can also develop with injuries of the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall by a foreign body, solid food. It is usually observed in early childhood in exhausted and weakened children.

Symptoms, course. Characteristic complaints of choking and sharp pain while swallowing, while food often gets into the nose. The patient refuses food. With the location of the abscess in the nasopharynx, nasal breathing is disrupted, and a closed nasal appearance appears. When the abscess spreads to the lower parts of the pharynx, inspiratory dyspnea occurs accompanied by wheezing, especially in the upright position of the patient. The body temperature reaches 39-40 g. C. Characteristic forced position of the head:
It is thrown back and tilted to the sore side. Often there is a swelling behind the angle of the lower jaw and along the anterior edge of the sternocleidosusular muscle. The diagnosis is confirmed with pharyngoscopy, in which a fluctuating swelling is found on the back wall of the pharynx. In the first days of the disease, the spherical protrusion of the posterior pharyngeal wall is located on one side, and further along the middle line. In doubtful cases, a diagnostic puncture is performed.

Complications. Acute edema of the entrance to the larynx or spontaneous opening with suffocation due to the entry of pus into the larynx cavity; Pus can spread to the area of ​​large vessels of the neck or descend through the invertebrate fascia into the thoracic cavity and cause purulent mediastinitis or constricted trachea.

Treatment. Early opening of the abscess abscess followed by antibacterial and detoxification therapy.