Clinical Comments on the Pathology of the Retro-pharyngeal Space

Overview

The clinical term retropharyngeal space implies the area between the posteriorpharyngeal wall and the cervical spine. Anatomically the retropharyngeal space is defined in frontby the median (visceral) layer of the deep cervical fascia and at the back by the alar sheet of thedeep layer of the cervical fascia. In the upper part the space reaches as far as the skull base and atthe bottom both fasciae combine at the level of C7 or Th1.In the area of the retropharyngeal space we can encounter various pathological conditions. Acutediseases include retropharyngeal abscesses requiring surgical intervention with concurrent administration of broad spectrum antibiotics. Primary tumours with progression in the retropharyngealspace and metastatic affections of the retropharyngeal nodes are uncommon. In tumourous diseases,depending on the extent, type of tumourous affection and the patient’s condition, surgical treatment,actinotherapy or chemotherapy is used. Last not least, deformities of the posterior p haryngeal wall may be involved which are conditioned by changes of the cervical spine. These conditions are usuallytreated by a conservative approach: modification of lifestyle, rehabilitation and psychotherapy.The authors demonstrate on the case-histories of four patients different afflictions of the retropharyngeal space documented by endoscopic and X-ray findings.

Key words:
retropharyngeal space, anatomy, abscess, tumours, cervical spine, treatment.