Clinical indicators of childhood retropharyngeal abscess

Retropharyngeal abscess is a rare but distinctive cause of airway obstruction in childhood. Early recognition permits emergent airway management and surgical drainage. Even when the presentation is insidious and does not include respiratory compromise, early clinical diagnosis of retropharyngeal cellulitis and appropriate medical treatment may halt progression to an abscess. Delay in the diagnosis and management of a retropharyngeal abscess may lead to potentially lethal complications involving vital structures. A case of an infant whose diagnosis of retropharyngeal abscess was delayed because of absence of respiratory compromise is reported. Relapse of retropharyngeal abscess despite surgical drainage and appropriate antibiotic treatment was a complication of infection in this patient. Clinical indicators providing an early diagnosis of retropharyngeal infection, and aspects of evaluation, management, and outcome, are discussed.