Keypoints:
- The presence of a pharyngeal mucosal space abscesses (PMA), being
confined between the pharyngeal mucosa and the pharyngeal constrictor
muscle, is considered rare. However, in our series represented 14,3%
of deep neck infections (DNIs), suggesting that they may not be so
rare as they are considered to be.
- PMAs’ symptoms and clinical findings are similar to those of other
DNIs, but trismus and neck swelling seem to be significant lower in
PMAs.
- Imaging studies will set PMA diagnosis, while CT with contrast is the
modality of choice.
- PMAs seems to be less dangerous than their deep-seated counterparts,
since its superficial location renders them amenable to spontaneous
drainage, aspiration, incision and drainage intraorally obviating
spread to deeper structures.