虽然 RPA 较为罕见,但它是一种严重疾病,如果未及早发现,可能出现严重的并发症,甚至死亡。该病占所有颈深部间隙感染的 12% 至 22%。[4]Wang LF, Tai CF, Kuo WR, et al. Predisposing factors of complicated deep neck infections: 12-year experience at a single institution. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010;39:335-341.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20642996?tool=bestpractice.com 儿童的发病高峰年龄为 3 至 5 岁。成人的这种疾病发病率正在增加。[2]Gaglani MJ, Edwards MS. Clinical indicators of childhood retropharyngeal abscess. Am J Emerg Med. 1995;13:333-336.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7755832?tool=bestpractice.com 该病更容易累及儿童,因为儿童更经常发生上呼吸道感染和口咽创伤,而且儿童咽后淋巴结更容易化脓。这些淋巴结往往在 4 岁后退化。男性的 RPA 患病率比女性高,53% 至 55% 的病例见于男性。[2]Gaglani MJ, Edwards MS. Clinical indicators of childhood retropharyngeal abscess. Am J Emerg Med. 1995;13:333-336.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7755832?tool=bestpractice.com[5]Wang LF, Kuo WR, Tsai SM, et al. Characterizations of life-threatening deep cervical space infections: a review of one hundred ninety-six cases. Am J Otolaryngol. 2003;24:111-117.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12649826?tool=bestpractice.com[6]Philpott CM, Selvadurai D, Banerjee AR. Paediatric retropharyngeal abscess. J Laryngol Otol. 2004;118:919-920.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15667676?tool=bestpractice.com
针对美国 RPA 病例的 10 年综述发现,患者中 70% 为非裔美国人,25% 为白人,5% 为西班牙裔。[5]Wang LF, Kuo WR, Tsai SM, et al. Characterizations of life-threatening deep cervical space infections: a review of one hundred ninety-six cases. Am J Otolaryngol. 2003;24:111-117.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12649826?tool=bestpractice.com 然而,2004 年的一项研究发现,患者中 43% 为非裔美国人,54% 为白人,1% 为西班牙裔,1% 为混血儿。[6]Philpott CM, Selvadurai D, Banerjee AR. Paediatric retropharyngeal abscess. J Laryngol Otol. 2004;118:919-920.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15667676?tool=bestpractice.com