Retropharyngeal abscesses are rare but potentially life-threatening infections that primarily affect children of age 5 and younger and, occasionally, adults. Although a viral upper respiratory infection typically precedes abscess formation, retropharyngeal infection may also arise from oropharyngeal trauma or dental disease. Retropharyngeal abscesses are pus-filled collections within the retropharyngeal space, located between the buccopharyngeal fascia anteriorly and the alar fascia posteriorly. As a retropharyngeal abscess enlarges, it can result in upper airway obstruction and potentially lead to asphyxiation.Treatment of retropharyngeal abscess involves the administration of broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, with or without surgical incision and drainage. Untreated retropharyngeal abscesses can result in upper airway obstruction and respiratory distress. Patients diagnosed with retropharyngeal infection may also require hospital admission and consultation with otolaryngology. Following infection resolution, some patients may require extended hospitalization, tracheostomy, and/or nasogastric tube feeding due to prolonged inflammation in the upper aerodigestive tract. This activity provides an overview of the assessment and treatment of retropharyngeal abscesses, emphasizing the crucial role of the interprofessional healthcare team in managing the condition to optimize patient outcomes.
- Provider:StatPearls, LLC
- Activity Link: https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/28484
- Start Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- End Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- Credit Details: IPCE Credits: 1.5 hours
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™️: 1.5 hours
Nursing: 1.5 hours
Pharmacy: 1.5 hours - MOC Credit Details: ABS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABS)
ABPATH - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABPATH)
ABA - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABA)
ABTS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABTS)
ABIM - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Medical Knowledge (ABIM)
ABS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABS)
ABP - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (ABP)
ABOHNS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABOHNS)
ABTS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABTS) - Commercial Support: No
- Activity Type: Enduring Material
- CME Finder Type: Online Learning
- Fee to Participate: Variable
- Measured Outcome: Learner Knowledge, Learner/Team Competence
- Provider Ship: Directly Provided
- Registration: Open to all
- Specialty: Adolescent Medicine, Ambulatory/Outpatient, Child Abuse Pediatrics, Critical Care Medicine, General Operative Anesthesia, General Otolaryngology, General Pediatrics, General Surgery, Head & Neck, Hospital Medicine, Infectious Disease, Infectious Diseases/Medical Microbiology, Internal Medicine, Non-Thoracic Surgery, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Pediatric Pulmonology, Pediatric Surgery, Sports Medicine, Surgical Critical Care, Trauma