A retrospective chart review and CT scan review of 30 children with retropharyngeal infections.
All patients had retropharyngeal adenitis. Average volume of the low-attenuation focus in the medical treatment group was 1.2 cm3. Average volume in the surgical group was 4 cm3. Surgery patients with no purulent findings were then grouped with the medical treatment group; the average volume of the low-attenuation focus in this group was 2.2 cm3. Average volume in the group in which purulence was identified was 4.4 cm3.
CT can identify patients with retropharyngeal infections who have a high likelihood of being successfully treated with antibiotics alone.
CT imaging may assist in avoiding unnecessary surgical exploration.