Parapharyngeal Abscess: Diagnosis, Complications and Management in Adults

Overview

Journal Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol

Specialty Otorhinolaryngology

Date 2004 Jul 6

PMID 15235797

Citations 16

Authors

A Alaani

H Griffiths

S S Minhas

J Olliff

A B Drake Lee

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Parapharyngeal abscess may cause life-threatening complications. Peritonsillar abscess and tonsillitis may result in parapharyngeal abscess. Since the introduction of antibiotics, the incidence of parapharyngeal abscess secondary to tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess has decreased dramatically. We present five cases of parapharyngeal abscess resulting from tonsillitis and peritonsillar infection extending to the parapharyngeal space in adult patients. Two were complicated by mediastinitis despite early treatment by wide spectrum antibiotics. We believe that early diagnosis and aggressive antibiotic treatment with early surgical drainage in cases associated with pus collection are the key points in preventing serious and fatal complications. We emphasize the diagnostic role of computerized tomography (CT) scan and the importance of early and proper drainage of these abscesses.

Citing Articles

[Disproving the myth of "abscess weather" predisposing to peritonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess].

von Meyer F, Storck K HNO. 2023; 72(1):32-40.

PMID: 37932499 PMC: 10781855. DOI: 10.1007/s00106-023-01384-w.

Critical infections in the head and neck: A pictorial review of acute presentations and complications.

Shareef M, Ghosn Y, Khdhir M, El Annan T, Alam R, Hourani R Neuroradiol J. 2022; 37(4):402-417.

PMID: 35188822 PMC: 11366201. DOI: 10.1177/19714009211059122.

Microbiology of parapharyngeal abscesses in adults: in search of the significant pathogens.

Klug T, Greve T, Andersen C, Hahn P, Danstrup C, Petersen N Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2021; 40(7):1461-1470.

PMID: 33566204 PMC: 8205900. DOI: 10.1007/s10096-021-04180-y.

Severe parapharyngeal abscess that developed significant complications: management during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ajeigbe T, Ria B, Wates E, Mattine S BMJ Case Rep. 2020; 13(12).

PMID: 33370968 PMC: 10577725. DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-236449.

Complications of peritonsillar abscess.

Klug T, Greve T, Hentze M Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2020; 19(1):32.

PMID: 32731900 PMC: 7391705. DOI: 10.1186/s12941-020-00375-x.

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