Abstract
Eight patients with peripharyngeal or periesophageal abscess treated from January 1, 1984 through December 31, 1986 at Kurume University Hospital, are reviewed. 1. The age range was 41 to 65 years. Seven patients were male and one was female. 2. Seven patients had peripharyngeal abscesses, and two of these developed peritonsillar abscesses. One patient had a periesophageal abscess. Mediastinitis was a complication in two patients. 3. The cause was by foreign body, in two patients, endoscopy in two, and tonsillitis in two. The etiology was not known in two patients. 4. Streptococcus was isolated in all eight patients, Klebsiella pneumoniae in two and anaerobic bacilli in one. 5. Three of the patients had diabetes mellitus. 6. Drainage was performed in all eight patients. Tracheotomy was required in three who complained of dyspnea. 7. Seven patients were cured. One of the two who developed mediastinitis died.
