A throat abscess is a purulent inflammation of the tissues located in this anatomical region, followed by their melting and the formation of a purulent cavity.. The process is caused by pyogenic microbes entering the palatine tonsils, pharynx, larynx through damaged mucous membranes or by drifting through the blood and lymphatic vessels from another purulent focus. The lack of timely adequate treatment of pathology is fraught with the development of dangerous complications that threaten the health and life of the patient.. Abscess treatment - surgical, surgical intervention is carried out against the background of antibacterial and detoxification therapy.

A throat abscess requires mandatory medical intervention, as it is a life-threatening disease. Localization of an abscess in the throat. With the development of an inflammatory infectious process in the tissues, the protective reaction of the body manifests itself in the formation of a capsule that delimits the pathological focus containing pus from healthy tissues. Depending on the location of the abscess, the following varieties are distinguished:.

paratonsillar;

retropharyngeal;

parapharyngeal.

Localization and causes of purulent inflammation largely determine its clinical manifestations..

Throat abscess symptomsLocalization.

Pathogen and mechanism of development.

Clinical manifestations.

Paratonsillar, or peritonsillar: acute inflammation of the fatty tissue located near the palatine tonsils on one or both sides. There are types: posterior (between the tonsil and palatopharyngeal arch), inferior (at the lower pole of the tonsil), anterior (between the palatoglossal arch and the upper pole of the tonsil), external (outside the tonsil).

Most often it is a complication of acute inflammation of the palatine tonsils, called acute tonsillitis or tonsillitis, as well as pharyngitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane and lymphoid tissue of the pharynx). Pathogens:? group A hemolytic streptococcus, staphylococcus aureus, or a combination thereof. Diseases are more susceptible to children, adolescents, people with weakened immune systems.

Sore throat of increasing intensity, dysphagia, high fever, chills, intoxication (weakness, headache, etc.). ), regional lymphadenitis, bad breath, limitation of movements in the temporomandibular joint, as a result of which it is difficult for the patient to open his mouth.

Retropharyngeal, or retropharyngeal: suppuration of the lymph nodes and tissue of the pharyngeal space.

It is a consequence of the penetration of infectious agents through the lymphatic vessels from the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, auditory tube and middle ear; complicated course of influenza, scarlet fever, measles infection; damage to the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall by a foreign body, too hard food. Usually seen in debilitated children.

Sharp pain when swallowing, choking, sometimes accompanied by food entering the nose; with the location of the focus of pus in the nasopharynx - respiratory failure through the nose, nasal voice; when the process spreads to the lower parts of the pharynx - difficulty in inhaling, accompanied by wheezing, which increases in the vertical position of the body; swelling behind the angle of the mandible; forced position of the head (tilting back with an inclination to the affected side); high fever.

Peropharyngeal: purulent inflammatory process of the cellular tissue of the peripharyngeal space limited by the capsule.

It is a complication of the inflammatory process in the pharynx, oral cavity, middle ear, acute paratonsillar abscess, mastoiditis. It develops as a result of a trauma to the pharynx or after surgery to remove the palatine tonsils - tonsillectomy. Infectious agents: streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, fusiform and E. coli. Occurs more often in adults.

Sharp pain in the throat, aggravated by attempts to open the mouth and head movements, swallowing disorder, tonic spasm of the masticatory muscles, the appearance of a bulge or knot in the area of \u200b\u200bthe lateral wall of the pharynx, tonsil and palatine arches on the side of the lesion, a significant increase in body temperature (40 ° C.

Diagnosis Diagnosis includes:.

collection of complaints;

study of the history of the disease;

general inspection;

pharyngoscopy;

laboratory examination (detailed blood test, bacterial culture to identify the pathogen and determine its sensitivity to antibacterial drugs);

ultrasound examination of the neck;

computed tomography of the neck;

radiography of the soft tissues of the head and neck.

The last three studies on the list are less frequent.. They are prescribed in difficult cases for the purpose of differential diagnosis, to exclude the spread of the pathological process beyond the pharynx..

Identification of diseases that caused the appearance of a purulent process in the throat may require:.

otoscopy;

rhinoscopy;

radiography of the paranasal sinuses (photo of the paranasal sinuses).

Possible Complications Throat abscess can be complicated by life-threatening conditions.

Localization.

Possible Complications.

paratonsillar.

Phlegmon of the neck, mediastinitis, necrosis, or necrosis, of tissues, sepsis, thrombophlebitis of the cavernous sinus.

retropharyngeal.

Acute edema of the entrance to the larynx, suffocation during spontaneous opening of the abscess, while the larynx is blocked by purulent masses, compression of the trachea, purulent mediastinitis, sepsis, purulent meningitis.

peripharyngeal.

Laryngeal edema, suffocation, purulent anterior mediastinitis, neck phlegmon, osteomyelitis of the lower jaw, cervical vertebrae, purulent meningitis, sepsis.

The development of complications requires immediate medical attention. To prevent them, it is necessary to correctly and timely treat purulent processes in the throat, especially sore throat, which is complicated not only by the formation of an abscess of the pharynx, but also in the later stages (2–4 weeks) by damage to the heart (fibrous changes in valves, carditis) and kidneys (glomerulonephritis).

Treatment of a throat abscess Elimination of abscess inflammation in the throat provides for a set of measures. The basis of treatment is surgery against the background of antibacterial and symptomatic therapy..

Opening of the abscess of the throat in combination with antibiotic therapy is the main treatment regimenLocalization.

Complex of therapeutic measures.

paratonsillar.

In a hospital, opening a purulent cavity, ensuring its adequate drainage. The ineffectiveness of therapy, the spread of the process, the recurrence of the disease may require an abscess tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the abscess along with the affected palatine tonsil). The appointment of antibacterial drugs of the lincosamide group, semi-synthetic penicillins in combination with clavulanic acid, cephalosporins, and after receiving the results of bacteriological culture - antibiotics to which the pathogen is sensitive. Symptomatic therapy involves the use of analgesics, antipyretics, intravenous infusions of solutions for the purpose of detoxification, antiseptics for rinsing the mouth.

retropharyngeal.

Surgical opening of a purulent cavity with simultaneous suction of pus, preventing it from entering the respiratory tract, drainage. In parallel, systemic therapy with antibacterial drugs is carried out according to the principles listed earlier, sanitation of existing foci of infection in the nasopharynx or ear, antipyretic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antihistamines and vitamin preparations, antiseptics in the form of rinses are prescribed.

peripharyngeal.

Surgical treatment is expressed in the opening of the abscess. In the postoperative period, broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs, analgesics are prescribed, infusion therapy is carried out to eliminate intoxication, if necessary, antigangrenous serum is administered..

Prognosis Timely detection of the disease, adequate surgical treatment, properly selected antibiotics in the vast majority of cases provide a favorable outcome.. If complications occur, the prognosis may look doubtful or even unfavorable..

PreventionMeasures aimed at preventing the formation of purulent pathology and its formidable complications include:.

early diagnosis and complete therapy of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, nasopharynx, middle ear;

following the rules for performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involving the introduction of a breathing tube or endoscopic device into the pharynx;

taking care when removing foreign bodies from the pharynx;

prevention of violation of the technique of surgical interventions during tonsillectomy, removal of tumors, adenoids.

Timely access of patients to medical care is of great importance..

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