Epidemiology

Although rare, RPAs are serious, with the potential for significant morbidity and mortality if not detected early. They account for 12% to 22% of all deep space infections in the neck.[4] The peak incidence in children is at 3 to 5 years of age.[1][5][6] The condition is increasing in incidence in adults.[2] Children are more frequently affected by the condition because they have an increased frequency of upper respiratory tract infections and oropharyngeal trauma, as well as the tendency toward suppuration in the retropharyngeal lymph nodes. These nodes tend to regress after the age of 4 years. RPAs are more common in males than in females, with 53% to 62% of cases occurring in males.[2][5][7][8]

In a 10-year review of RPA cases, 70% of patients were African-American, 25% were white, and 5% were Hispanic.[7] However, a 2004 study found 43% of cases in African-American people, 54% in white people, 1% in Hispanic people, and 1% in biracial people.[8]

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