Diseases Of The Nose Throat And Ear

LOCAL SPREAD OF MASTOED INFECTIONS

PHARYNGEAL ABSCESS

Pharyngeal abscess may develop secondary to otitis media in two ways:
(i) directly from the tympanic and tubal air cells in which case the infection
passes along the inferior surface of the petrous bone in close relation to the
Eustachian tube, or (ii) indirectly from air cells situated more deeply in
the mastoid process, or from an extradural abscess in the posterior cranial
fossa when the pus forms in the suboccipital region deep to the digastric
muscle.

In pharyngeal abscess of otitic origin the patient complains of pain or
difficulty in mastication and swallowing, or of toothache, or of pain in the
parotid region. Speech may become 'thick*. Redness and swelling will be
seen in the lateral wall of the pharynx or the peritonsillar region. The abscess
usually resolves following antibiotic therapy with the appropriate drug,
but if the condition should be tuberculous external drainage of the abscess
may be required.

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