Parapharyngeal abscess

Parapharyngeal abscess

Introduction

Parapharyngeal abscess is a deep neck abscess. It is also known as abscess of pharyngomaxillary or lateral pharyngeal space. Parapharyngeal abscess involve the parapharyngeal space.[1] Parapharyngeal space is lateral to the superior pharyngeal constrictor and medial to the masseter muscle, this space is divided by styloid process into anterior and posterior compartment. This space contains the carotid artery, internal jugular vein, numerous nerves.

Epidemiology

Both sex are equally affected Any age group can develop a parapheryngeal abscess but it is most commonly seen in children and adolescents.[2] Immunocompromised adults are the high risk people.[3]

Aetiology

Infection can occur from:

Clinical features

Symptoms

Fever, sore throat, odynophagia (painful swallowing), swelling in neck.

Signs

Anterior space abscess can cause trismus (spasm of jaw muscle) and hard mass formation along the angle of the mandible, with medial bulging of the tonsil and lateral pharyngeal wall. Posterior space abscess causes swelling in posterior pharyngeal wall. Trismus (spasm of jaw muscle) is minimal. Posterior abscess may involve structures within the carotid sheath, causing rigors, high fever, bacteremia, neurologic deficit, massive haemorrhage caused by carotid artery rupture.[5]

References

  1. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/parapharyngeal-abscess[]
  2. Croche Santander, B.; Prieto Del Prado, A.; Madrid Castillo, M.D.; Neth, O.; Obando Santaella, I. (2011). "Abscesos retrofaríngeo y parafaríngeo: Experiencia en hospital terciario de Sevilla durante la última década" [Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess: experience in a tertiary-care center in Seville during the last decade]. Anales de Pediatría. 75 (4): 266–72. doi:10.1016/j.anpedi.2011.03.010. PMID 21531183.
  3. Alaani, A.; Griffiths, H.; Minhas, S. S.; Olliff, J.; Drake Lee, A. B. (2004). "Parapharyngeal abscess: Diagnosis, complications and management in adults". European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. 262 (4): 345–50. doi:10.1007/s00405-004-0800-6. PMID 15235797.
  4. Dhingra, PL (2014). Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat & Head and Neck Surgeries (6th ed.). Elsiver. ISBN 978-81-312-3431-0.
  5. http://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/ear,-nose,-and-throat-disorders/oral-and-pharyngeal-disorders/parapharyngeal-abscess[]

Further reading

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/2/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.