RT Book, Section
A1 Jauch, Edward C.
A1 Valdez, J. Amadeo
A2 Knoop, Kevin J.
A2 Stack, Lawrence B.
A2 Storrow, Alan B.
A2 Thurman, R. Jason
SR Print(0)
ID 1181040668
T1 Parapharyngeal Space Abscess
T2 The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e
YR 2021
FD 2021
PB McGraw-Hill
PP New York, NY
SN 9781260134940
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181040668
RD 2024/04/18
AB The  parapharyngeal  space,  also  known  as  the  lateral  pharyngeal  or  pharyngomaxillary  space,  is  a  pyramidal-shaped  space  with  its  apex  at  the  hyoid  bone  and  base  at  the  base  of  the  skull.  Laterally,  it  is  bound  by  the  internal  pterygoid  muscle  and  the  parotid  gland  with  the  superior  pharyngeal  constrictor  muscle  acting  as  the  medial  border.  The  posterior  aspect  of  this  space  is  in  close  proximity  with  the  carotid  sheath  and  cranial  nerves  IX  through  XII.  Presenting  symptoms  of  parapharyngeal  space  abscesses  may  include  fever,  dysphagia,  odynophagia,  drooling,  and  ipsilateral  otalgia.  Unilateral  neck  and  jaw  angle  facial  swelling  in  association  with  rigidity  and  limited  neck  motion  is  common.  Potentially  disastrous  complications  include  cranial  neuropathies,  jugular  vein  septic  thrombophlebitis,  and  erosion  into  the  carotid  artery.  The  origin  of  parapharyngeal  abscesses  may  be  from  bacterial  pharyngitis,  sinuses,  dentition,  or  lymphatic  spread.