Liquefactive necrosis

• Introduction of pyogenic bacteria through the protective epithelium can lead to the development of localised liquefactive necrosis (abscesses) anywhere in the soft tissues of the oropharynx.
• These usually follow local trauma, e.g. penetrating foreign bodies.
• The bacteria involved are usually Staphylococci, Streptococci or Arcanobacterium pyogenes.