45% 的 RPA 为上呼吸道感染的后遗症(如咽炎、扁桃体炎、鼻窦炎、牙齿感染)。最常见的致病微生物为草绿色链球菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、表皮链球菌和乙型溶血性链球菌。较少见的病因包括韦荣球菌属、产黑素拟杆菌、副流感嗜血杆菌和肺炎克雷伯菌。也有同时感染耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌和结核分枝杆菌的报道。[7]Christoforidou A, Metallidis S, Kollaras P, et al. Tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess as a cause of oropharyngeal dysphagia. Am J Otolaryngol. 2012;33:272-274.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21871690?tool=bestpractice.com[8]Abdel-Haq N, Quezada M, Asmar BI. Retropharyngeal abscess in children: the rising incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2012;31:696-699.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22481424?tool=bestpractice.com 上呼吸道的正常共生菌可以成为 RPA 的致病菌。[9]Kirse DJ, Roberson DW. Surgical management of retropharyngeal space infections in children. Laryngoscope. 2001;111:1413-1422.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11568578?tool=bestpractice.com[10]Morrison JE Jr, Pashley NR. Retropharyngeal abscesses in children: a 10-year review. Pediatr Emerg Care. 1988;4:9-11.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3283710?tool=bestpractice.com[11]Ungkanont K, Yellon RF, Weissman JL, et al. Head and neck space infections in infants and children. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995;112:375-382.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7870436?tool=bestpractice.com[12]Parhiscar A, Har-El G. Deep neck abscess: a retrospective review of 210 cases. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2001;110:1051-1054.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11713917?tool=bestpractice.com 27% 的 RPA 与咽后部意外创伤有关,例如,吞咽异物、儿童含着棒棒糖跑步时摔倒、吞咽鸡骨头等尖锐物。其余 28% 为特发性 RPA。[9]Kirse DJ, Roberson DW. Surgical management of retropharyngeal space infections in children. Laryngoscope. 2001;111:1413-1422.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11568578?tool=bestpractice.com[10]Morrison JE Jr, Pashley NR. Retropharyngeal abscesses in children: a 10-year review. Pediatr Emerg Care. 1988;4:9-11.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3283710?tool=bestpractice.com[11]Ungkanont K, Yellon RF, Weissman JL, et al. Head and neck space infections in infants and children. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995;112:375-382.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7870436?tool=bestpractice.com