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Pharyngeal abscess, a collection of pus in the back of the throat, is caused by bacterial infections, trauma, and medical procedures. Symptoms include severe sore throat, neck stiffness, and difficulty breathing. Treatment involves antibiotics, pain medication, and sometimes surgery. Prevention includes timely treatment of infections and good oral hygiene.
The word abscess refers to a collection of pus, or dead white blood cells, that develops after an infection has occurred in certain areas of the body. When seen in the pharynx, or back of the throat, this condition is called a pharyngeal abscess. A throat abscess is usually accompanied by severe sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, neck stiffness, and swelling of the throat. It is most often caused by bacterial infections that start in the tonsils, nose and salivary glands. Tooth infections can also lead to this condition.
Trauma in the upper respiratory tract area can also result in the formation of pharyngeal abscesses. Sharp objects or even solid food can get stuck in the throat, causing injury and leading to pus building up in the area. This is especially common in children.
Sometimes, medical procedures can also lead to the development of a throat abscess. These include feeding tube insertions, surgeries in the head and neck area, endoscopy, and dental procedures such as tooth extractions, among many others. Endoscopy is a procedure in which a thin tube with a camera and other devices is inserted down the throat to evaluate abnormalities in the esophagus and voice box. Other factors that can contribute to throat abscess formation are poor oral hygiene, immune dysfunction, and even low socioeconomic status.
Patients with a throat abscess often experience neck or jaw pain, develop a lump or tender tissue in the affected area, have a muffled voice, and develop a tendency to drool. Difficulty breathing, headache, fever and sore throat are also usually seen. If not treated promptly, this condition can lead to several complications. These include vocal cord paralysis, bleeding in the ear, mouth or nose, and rupture of the carotid artery, a blood vessel in the neck that carries oxygenated blood to the brain.
Treatment of a throat abscess often involves the use of pain medications and antibiotics to relieve pain and fight infection, respectively. Some patients may be given oxygen therapy in cases where the swollen airways have become difficulty breathing. Intravenous fluids are also usually given to patients who have difficulty swallowing food due to a swollen throat. Surgery may also be done to remove or drain pus that has collected in the area.
Throat abscess formation can be prevented by timely treatment of infections occurring in the respiratory tract. Chewing food properly before swallowing can help prevent throat injuries. Maintaining good oral hygiene is also an important preventative measure.
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