Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To characterize presentation, treatment, and outcomes of pediatric retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) and determine optimal treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Chart review of 162 pediatric patients with RPA. RESULTS: Initial treatment was surgery in 126 and intravenous antibiotics in 36, of which 17 required surgery. Findings were negative in 30, murky fluid in 34, and pus in 79. Factors predicting positive surgical drainage were duration of symptoms for more than 2 days, prior antibiotic treatment, and CT lesion cross-sectional area >2.0 cm(2). A history of rash was a negative predictor. The mean length of stay (LOS) was 4.8 vs 3.6 days (P = 0.14), and duration of fever (DOF) was 2.5 vs 1.4 days (P = 0.01) for patients with no fluid and fluid at surgery, respectively. For antibiotic vs surgery groups, LOS was 4.4 vs 3.6 days (P = 0.14) and DOF was 2.4 versus 1.5 days (P = 0.0061). CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Nathan C Page, Erik M Bauer, Judith E C Lieu |
Journal | Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
(Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg)
Vol. 138
Issue 3
Pg. 300-6
(Mar 2008)
ISSN: 0194-5998 [Print] England |
PMID | 18312875
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Age Distribution
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Drainage
- Female
- Humans
- Infant
- Infant, Newborn
- Length of Stay
- Logistic Models
- Male
- Retropharyngeal Abscess
(diagnosis, epidemiology, microbiology, therapy)
- Retrospective Studies
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