Surgery diseases >>>> Abscesses of the pharynx and pharyngeal space

Abscesses of the pharynx and pharyngeal space.

Abscesses in the periopharyngeal and pharyngeal space often develop as a consequence of acute respiratory infections with an attached bacterial infection, can become a complication of angina, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, inflammation of the paranasal sinus mucosa, odontogenic inflammatory diseases, lymphangitis, purulent otitis media, measles, and many diseases of scarlet fever affecting the mucous membrane of the peri-pharyngeal space and tissue of the pharyngeal space.

Children under six years of age are most susceptible to the occurrence of periopharyngeal and pharyngeal abscesses due to the developed lymph nodes and looser tissue of the pharyngeal space. Sometimes the development of pharyngeal abscesses is associated with injuries: a complication after removal of the palatine tonsils, injury to the pharyngeal mucosa by foreign objects (small bones, hard pieces of food, and the like). But a periopharyngeal or pharyngeal abscess can also occur in an adult with low immune responses, diabetes mellitus, chronic infections, or suffering from alcoholism.

The main pathogens that cause suppuration of the tissues of the pharynx and the pharyngeal space are staphylococci, streptococci, but sometimes Escherichia coli and other pyogenic bacteria can cause pharyngeal abscesses. Infectious agents are able to penetrate into the pharynx and pharyngeal space with blood flow or lymph flow from distant foci of bacterial infection.

There are two types of abscesses developing in the pharynx and pharyngeal space:

Retropharyngeal abscess (retropharyngeal abscess)
Parapharyngeal abscess (parapharyngeal abscess).

Signs of abscesses of the periopharyngeal and pharyngeal space are similar:

Painful swallowing,
Attacks of pain in the region of the pharynx in a calm state,
Throat pain can mimic neck pain,
Labored breathing,
Swollen cervical lymph nodes,
Increased salivation,
temperature rise to high rates.

Diagnostics of the pharyngeal and periopharyngeal abscess is carried out on the basis of visual and instrumental examination, examination of the contents of the abscess using a puncture. Ultrasound and computed tomography can confirm the exact location and prevalence of the purulent process.

Treatment of abscesses of the pharynx and pharyngeal space is carried out by using antibacterial and immunostimulating therapy, as well as surgical intervention. The operation involves opening the abscess under local anesthesia, pumping out purulent contents, washing and processing the tissues of the opened abscess capsule with antibacterial drugs and proteolytic enzymes.

Timely treatment of abscesses of the pharynx and pharyngeal space is of great importance, since they can cause serious complications, sometimes incompatible with life: mediastinitis, airway obstruction, meningitis, jugular vein thrombosis, sepsis.