Danger space

The danger space or alar space, is a

region of the neck.[1] The common name
originates from the risk that an infection
in this space can spread directly to the
thorax, and, due to being a space
continuous on the left and right, can
furthermore allow infection to spread
easily to either side.
Structure Danger space

It is bounded at the
top by the skull
base, at the front
by the alar fascia
and behind by the
Section of the neck
prevertebral
at about the level of
fascia. It comes to
the sixth cervical
an end at the level vertebra. Showing
of the diaphragm. the arrangement of
the fascia coli.
The
Anatomical
retropharyngeal
terminology
space is found
anterior to the
danger space, between the alar fascia
and buccopharyngeal fascia. There
exists a midline raphe in this space so
some infections of this space appear
unilateral.

Clinical significance
On CT or MRI it is only visible when
distended by fluid or pus, below the level
of T1-T6, as the retropharyngeal space
ends at this level, allowing distinction
between the two entities.[2] Superior
spread of infection can affect the
contents of the carotid sheath, including
the internal jugular vein and cranial
nerves IX, X, XI, and XII, while inferior
spread of infection through the danger
space can cause mediastinitis.
History
It was first characterized in 1938.[3][4]

See also
Retrovisceral space

References
1. Reynolds SC, Chow AW (2009). "Severe
soft tissue infections of the head and
neck: a primer for critical care
physicians". Lung. 187 (5): 271–9.
doi:10.1007/s00408-009-9153-7 (https://d
oi.org/10.1007%2Fs00408-009-9153-7) .
PMID 19653038 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nl
m.nih.gov/19653038) . S2CID 9009912 (h
 ttps://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:9
009912) .
2. Hoang, JK; Branstetter BF, 4th; Eastwood,
JD; Glastonbury, CM (April 2011).
"Multiplanar CT and MRI of collections in
the retropharyngeal space: is it an
abscess?". AJR. American Journal of
Roentgenology. 196 (4): W426-32.
doi:10.2214/AJR.10.5116 (https://doi.org/
10.2214%2FAJR.10.5116) .
PMID 21427307 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nl
m.nih.gov/21427307) .
3. Adelson, Robert T. (2005). "Minimally
invasive transoral catheter-assisted
drainage of a danger-space infection" (htt
p://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BU
M/is_12_84/ai_n16133632/pg_2) . Ear,
 Nose & Throat Journal. Retrieved
2008-02-18.
4. Grodinsky M, Holyoke EA. The fasciae and
fascial spaces of the head, neck and
adjacent regions. Am J Anat 1938;63:367-
408.

External links
https://web.archive.org/web/2007031
9235431/http://www.bcm.edu/oto/gra
nd/10694.html

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