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Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is an abscess located in the tissues in the back of the throat behind the posterior pharyngeal wall (the retropharyngeal space).Because RPAs typically occur in deep tissue, they are difficult to diagnose by physical examination alone.
The danger space or alar space, is a region of the neck. [1] The common name originates from the risk that an infection in this space can spread directly to the thorax , and, due to being a space continuous on the left and right, can furthermore allow infection to spread easily to either side.
Superiorly, the retropharyngeal space terminates at the base of the skull (more specifically, at the clivus [2]). [1] [5] Inferiorly, the true RPS terminates at a variable level along the upper thoracic spine with the fusion of alar fascia and visceral fascia; [1] sources either give the inferior termination of the true RPS as occurring at approximately the vertebral level of T4 [2] or at a ...
Behind both the parapharyngeal space and carotid space lies the retropharyngeal space, and deep to this a potential space known as the danger space. The danger space serves as an important pathway for complicated infections of the posterior pharynx to enter the chest and spinal column. Anterior to the parapharyngeal space is the masticator ...
The retrovisceral space is divided into the retropharyngeal space and the danger space by the alar fascia. It is of particular clinical importance because it is a main route by which oropharyngeal infections can spread into the mediastinum. Some sources say the retrovisceral space is the same as the retropharyngeal space. [1]
Other conditions that can produce similar symptoms include epiglottitis, thyroiditis, retropharyngeal abscess, and occasionally heart disease. [2] NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, can be used to help with the pain. [2] Numbing medication, such as topical lidocaine, may also help. [4]
Other sites involved in septic metastasis and abscess formation are the muscles and soft tissues, liver, spleen, kidneys and nervous system (intracranial abscesses, meningitis). [5] Production of bacterial toxins such as lipopolysaccharide leads to secretion of cytokines by white blood cells which then both lead to symptoms of sepsis.
Fascial spaces (also termed fascial tissue spaces [1] or tissue spaces [2]) are potential spaces that exist between the fasciae and underlying organs and other tissues. [3] In health, these spaces do not exist; they are only created by pathology, e.g. the spread of pus or cellulitis in an infection.