Retropharyngeal abscess

Retropharyngeal abscess
DiseasesDB	11461
MedlinePlus	000984
eMedicine	emerg/506  ped/2682

WikiDoc Resources for Retropharyngeal abscess
Articles
Most recent articles on Retropharyngeal abscess Most cited articles on Retropharyngeal abscess Review articles on Retropharyngeal abscess Articles on Retropharyngeal abscess in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Retropharyngeal abscess Images of Retropharyngeal abscess Photos of Retropharyngeal abscess Podcasts & MP3s on Retropharyngeal abscess Videos on Retropharyngeal abscess
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Retropharyngeal abscess Bandolier on Retropharyngeal abscess TRIP on Retropharyngeal abscess
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Retropharyngeal abscess at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Retropharyngeal abscess Clinical Trials on Retropharyngeal abscess at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Retropharyngeal abscess NICE Guidance on Retropharyngeal abscess NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Retropharyngeal abscess CDC on Retropharyngeal abscess
Books
Books on Retropharyngeal abscess
News
Retropharyngeal abscess in the news Be alerted to news on Retropharyngeal abscess News trends on Retropharyngeal abscess
Commentary
Blogs on Retropharyngeal abscess
Definitions
Definitions of Retropharyngeal abscess
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Retropharyngeal abscess Discussion groups on Retropharyngeal abscess Patient Handouts on Retropharyngeal abscess Directions to Hospitals Treating Retropharyngeal abscess Risk calculators and risk factors for Retropharyngeal abscess
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Retropharyngeal abscess Causes & Risk Factors for Retropharyngeal abscess Diagnostic studies for Retropharyngeal abscess Treatment of Retropharyngeal abscess
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Retropharyngeal abscess
International
Retropharyngeal abscess en Espanol Retropharyngeal abscess en Francais
Business
Retropharyngeal abscess in the Marketplace Patents on Retropharyngeal abscess
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Retropharyngeal abscess

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

A retropharyngeal abscess is an abscess in the tissues in the back of the throat, the retropharyngeal space. It can lead to airway obstruction, a life-threatening emergency. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection originating from the nasopharynx, tonsils, sinuses, adenoids or middle ear. It can also result from a direct infection due to penetrating injury or a foreign body. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, fever and enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Retropharyngeal abscesses often need to be drained surgically. Antibiotics are also given.