Retropharyngeal Abscess Quiz
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Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Content updated on Jan 19, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Lymph swollen
I have a pain in my neck
Sore throat
My throat is red
Swollen tonsils
Pain when swallowing
Swollen lymph nodes continue to grow larger
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
How Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Retropharyngeal Abscess quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Have a fever
- Swollen lymph nodes above collar bone
- Fever then no fever then fever again
- Swollen armpit
- Hard to eat
- Periodic fever (>100.4°F / 38°C)
- It moves when I touch the lump
- Difficult to swallow food because of pain
- Remittent fever of 102.2°F / 39°C
- Multiple lymph nodes swollen in my groin
- Lymph nodes in the groin are swollen
- Stomach was uncomfortable, then had a fever
- Throat feels burnt when I drink
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Extremely high fever of 106.7°F / 41.5°C or higher
See full list
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizWhat is Retropharyngeal Abscess?
A retropharyngeal abscess is rare but potentially life-threatening infection that forms behind the back wall of the throat. Symptoms include sore throat, fevers, inability to completely open jaw (trismus), and limited neck range of motion. Imaging including ultrasounds and CT scans might be used to determine severity.
Typical Symptoms of Retropharyngeal Abscess
- Lymph node swelling that is persistent and increasing in size
- Swollen lymph nodes, usually small swellings at the neck, armpits, groin and behind the ears
- Fever
- Difficulty swallowing food due to throat pain
- Recurrent tonsilIitis / tonsil infections
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Throat swelling
- Difficulty swallowing food or water
Diagnostic Questions for Retropharyngeal Abscess
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Are your swollen lymph nodes still getting bigger?
- Are your lymph nodes swollen and enlarged?
- Do you have a fever?
- Do you feel pain when you swallow food?
- Have you had repeated tonsillitis?
Treatment of Retropharyngeal Abscess
Immediate management of retropharyngeal abscess includes attention to the airway, fluid resuscitation if necessary, and antibiotic therapy. Surgical drainage may be required.
Think you might have
Retropharyngeal Abscess?
Try a symptom check testSymptoms Related to Retropharyngeal Abscess
Diseases Related to Retropharyngeal Abscess
References
Giordano D, Pernice C. Retropharyngeal Abscess. N Engl J Med. 2022 Jul 21;387(3):260. doi: 10.1056/NEJMicm2119678. PMID: 35857662.Giordano D, Pernice C. Retropharyngeal Abscess. N Engl J Med. 2022 Jul 21;387(3):260. doi: 10.1056/NEJMicm2119678. PMID: 35857662.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35857662/Reilly BK, Reilly JS. Retropharyngeal abscess: diagnosis and treatment update. Infect Disord Drug Targets. 2012 Aug;12(4):291-6. doi: 10.2174/187152612801319320. PMID: 22338591.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22338591/Retropharyngeal Abscess - Cleveland Clinc
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24026-retropharyngeal-abscess
What People Say about Ubie?
Male, 30s
I got more answers in one minute through your site than I did in three hours with Google.
(Sep 29, 2024)
Male, 20s
My experience was great. I was worried, but the symptom checker helped me narrow down what it might be. I feel a little relieved compared to when I first started, and it gives me a starting point for what my symptoms could mean.
(Sep 27, 2024)
Male, 50s
The questions asked and possible causes seemed spot on, putting me at ease for a next-step solution.
(Sep 26, 2024)
Female, 40s
I was actually very impressed with the results it provided because, although I didn’t mention it during the questionnaire because I thought it was unrelated, it suggested I may have something I’ve actually been diagnosed with in the past.
(Sep 25, 2024)
Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
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Retropharyngeal Abscess?
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1