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

Abstract

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.

Acute non-tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess in an adult. A case report and review of the literature

“…Lateral Xrays of the neck demonstrated prevertebral tissue swelling in all six cases, and three patients also had evidence of cervical osteomyelitis. An ultrasound scan can detect a retropharyngeal abscess at an early stage (Ben-Ami et al, 1979). MRI will show details of the abscess cavity but can also demonstrate cervical osteomyelitis.…”

Paediatric retropharyngeal abscess

“…A negative result cannot therefore refute the presence of an RPA or other deep space abscess in the neck, but the investigation, if positive, can provide a simple, cheap and non-irradiating form of investigating the patient. 40,46,47 Some authors have presented it in a positive light in the context of RPAs, 48 even rating it above CT scanning 49 and this is simply due to its ability to distinguish fluid from solid. One study used colour Doppler ultrasonography to effectively confirm the diagnosis in a group of 50 patients.…”

Retropharyngeal abscess and acute torticollis

“…High-resolution ultrasound has been found to be useful and in a group of seven patients presenting with symptoms of retropharyngeal space infection, cellulitis, as opposed to an abscess, was accurately diagnosed (Ben-Ami et al, 1990).…”