
Retropharyngeal Abscess in a Fourteen-Month-Old Child Presenting with Dysphagia and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Case Report
Author(s) -
Alkhadem Zahar,
Lutfi Lubna,
Ali Doha,
Mohammed Asma Anan,
Hamadi Iyad Said
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
dubai medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2571-726X
DOI - 10.1159/000519164
Subject(s) - educational corner – case report
Retropharyngeal abscess is a relatively uncommon midline deep neck space infection that extends from the base of the skull to the posterior mediastinum, situated between the buccopharyngeal and alar fascias. In this case report, we present a 14-month-old previously healthy female patient who had a high-grade fever for 7 days, associated with neck stiffness and restriction of neck movements to the right side. Her parents noticed decreased oral intake associated with dysphagia, muffled quality of voice, and obstructive sleep apnea. However, the patient had no clinical signs of mechanical obstruction on examination. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the neck showed a large retropharyngeal septated fluid collection measuring 8 × 3 × 6 cm, which was categorized as a large retropharyngeal abscess that was complicated by descending mediastinitis. The patient was taken immediately to the operation theater for incision and drainage under general anesthesia, after which she was started on intravenous antibiotics.