PARAPHARYNGEAL ABSCESSES IN CHILDREN – SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

*Małgorzata Dębska, Monika Jabłońska-Jesionowska, Mieczysław Chmielik

Summary
Introduction: Parapharyngeal abscesses are a rare complication of acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Since the parapharyngeal space is surrounded by muscle and fasciae from all sides, the inflammatory processes are difficult to recognise and can therefore cause life-threatening complications. The treatment of choice is an incision of the parapharyngeal space and intravenous antibiotic therapy.
Aim: In the Clinic of Paediatric Otolaryngology in Warsaw between July 2007 and July 2008 we treated three boys for abscesses of the parapharyngeal space only with combined antibiotic therapy. The treatment process and the results are described.
Material and methods: Children were treated conservatively for abscesses of the parapharyngeal space.
To confirm the diagnosis a CT scan of the neck and repeated ultrasound images were made in order to monitor the treatment.
Results: All patients treated only with combined antibiotic therapy were completely cured.
Conclusions: When no life-threatening symptoms are present, a conservative therapy may be administered. If the general condition improves and the inflammatory parameters lower within 24-48 h only this treatment may be continued. All our patients presented with anaemia. We do not know whether it was primary anaemia that predisposed children to a serious complication or it was the abscess of the parapharyngeal space which led to them becoming anaemic.

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