ThThe paper deals with clinical aspects of diseases of the retro- and parapharyngeal space in children. Tumours are extremely rare. In a computerized study since 1990 only 6 published cases were found, and the authors detected one benign lipoblastic lipoma and one Burkitt lymphoma. Contrary to adults where at this site, due to a predominance of salivary adenomas, some 80% of all tumours are benign in children we must foresee up to 50% malignant lesions. For the variants which can be treated by surgery a transcervical approach is suitable as it does not require mandibulotomy and is not associated with amajor postoperativemorbidity.The majority of diseases of these spaces in children are formed by inflammatory affections, i.e. abscesses, celulitis and reactive lymphadenitis. The differential diagnosis is based above all on contrast CT examinations. Its sensitivity due to falsely positive and falsely negative results does not exceed 90%. Some abscesses can therefore be verified only by aspiration puncture or surgery. In retropharyngeal and non-complicated parapharyngeal abscesses a transoral approach is preferred: an external approach is necessary in case of multiplicity of abscesses or complications which may be in up to 10% lethal. Antibiotic administration is essential. In case of a predominating polymicrobial flora with a high participation of anaerobic and beta-lactamase producing strains Augmentin is the drug of first choice.

        Key words: parapharyngeal space, children, inflammations, tumours