[Peritonsillar and retropharyngeal abscesses: study of 13 years]. / Abscesos periamigdalino y retrofaríngeo: estudio de 13 años.

INTRODUCTION: Peritonsillar and retropharyngeal abscesses are the most common deep head and neck infections. We present a series of patients with these infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of peritonsillar and retropharyngeal abscesses in children admitted to the Infectious Diseases Unit of our hospital between January 1991 and January 2004. Diagnosis was based mainly on clinical and laboratory findings. RESULTS: We studied 54 patients, 10 with retropharyngeal abscess and 44 with peritonsillar abscess. The mean age was 6.7 and 7.5 years respectively. There was a slight predominance of boys (1.45:1). The number of cases diagnosed increased from 1997, with a maximum (nine cases) in 2002. Twenty-nine children had received previous antibiotic therapy. The main symptoms and signs were: fever, odynophagia, cervical lymphadenitis, and asymmetric tonsillar hypertrophy. All children received intravenous antibiotic therapy. Puncture-aspiration was carried out in seven patients. Eleven children underwent tonsillectomy, two with retropharyngeal abscess and nine with peritonsillar abscess. Of these 11 patients, five had had several episodes of tonsillitis and three had previously had a peritonsillar abscess. Three children who developed an abscess had previously undergone tonsillectomy. In most patients, outcome was favorable. CONCLUSIONS: In the last few years the frequency of peritonsillar and retropharyngeal abscesses has increased in the pediatric population. Most of the children have a good response to conservative treatment. The main risk factor for abscess recurrence is a previous history of repeated tonsillitis. Consequently, these patients are candidates for tonsillectomy.

Abscesos periamigdalino y retrofaríngeo: estudio de 13 años / Peritonsillar and retropharyngeal abscesses: study of 13 years

Introducción Los abscesos periamigdalino y retrofaríngeo son las infecciones más frecuentes de tejidos profundos de cabeza y cuello. Se presenta una casuística sobre estas entidades. Material y métodos Estudio retrospectivo de los abscesos periamigdalino y retrofaríngeo en niños ingresados en la Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas de nuestro hospital entre enero de 1991 y enero de 2004. El diagnóstico se realizó fundamentalmente según criterios clínico-analíticos. Resultados Se estudian 54 casos, 10 con absceso retrofaríngeo y 44 con absceso periamigdalino, con edad media de 6,7 y 7,5 años, respectivamente. Se observa un discreto predominio en varones (1,45:1). Hay un aumento de casos diagnosticados desde 1997, con un máximo (9) en 2002. Un total de 29 niños habían recibido antibioterapia previa. Los principales síntomas y signos fueron: fiebre, odinofagia, adenopatías cervicales e hipertrofia amigdalar asimétrica. Todos los niños recibieron antibioterapia intravenosa. Se realizó punción-aspiración en 7 casos. Se practicó amigdalectomía en 11 niños, dos de ellos con absceso retrofaríngeo y nueve periamigdalino. De estos 11 pacientes, cinco tenían antecedentes de faringoamigdalitis de repetición y tres de absceso periamigdalino previo. Habían sido amigdalectomizados con anterioridad al desarrollo del absceso 3 niños. La mayoría de los casos presentaron una evolución favorable. Conclusiones En los últimos años se ha observado un aumento de la frecuencia de los abscesos periamigdalino y retrofaríngeo en la edad infantil. La mayor parte de los niños responden favorablemente al tratamiento conservador. La historia previa de amigdalitis de repetición constituye el principal factor de riesgo de recurrencia del absceso, y son estos pacientes los candidatos a amigdalectomía

Introduction Peritonsillar and retropharyngeal abscesses are the most common deep head and neck infections. We present a series of patients with these infections. Material and methods We performed a retrospective study of peritonsillar and retropharyngeal abscesses in children admitted to the Infectious Diseases Unit of our hospital between January 1991 and January 2004. Diagnosis was based mainly on clinical and laboratory findings. Results We studied 54 patients, 10 with retropharyngeal abscess and 44 with peritonsillar abscess. The mean age was 6.7 and 7.5 years respectively. There was a slight predominance of boys (1.45:1). The number of cases diagnosed increased from 1997, with a maximum (nine cases) in 2002. Twenty-nine children had received previous antibiotic therapy. The main symptoms and signs were: fever, odynophagia, cervical lymphadenitis, and asymmetric tonsillar hypertrophy. All children received intravenous antibiotic therapy. Puncture-aspiration was carried out in seven patients. Eleven children underwent tonsillectomy, two with retropharyngeal abscess and nine with peritonsillar abscess. Of these 11 patients, five had had several episodes of tonsillitis and three had previously had a peritonsillar abscess. Three children who developed an abscess had previously undergone tonsillectomy. In most patients, outcome was favorable. Conclusions In the last few years the frequency of peritonsillar and retropharyngeal abscesses has increased in the pediatric population. Most of the children have a good response to conservative treatment. The main risk factor for abscess recurrence is a previous history of repeated tonsillitis. Consequently, these patients are candidates for tonsillectomy