Retropharyngeal Abscess is primarily a disease of younger children
Origin may be medical or traumatic (ie running with popsicle stick in mouth).
Complications:
Airway compromise
Sepsis
Mediastinal extension or invasion into other local structures
Presentation:
Neck Pain – most common
Limitation of neck movement, especially neck extension
Torticollis
Fever
Sore throat
Neck mass
Respiratory distress, stridor – rarely
Consider retropharyngeal abscess in pt with fever and limitation of neck mobility even in the absence of respiratory symptoms.
Were you considering Meningitis (fever and neck pain) and the LP results are normal? Think of retropharyngeal abscess.
References
Craig, FW and Schunk, JE. Retropharyngeal Abscess in Children: Clinical Presentation, Utility of Imaging, and Current Management. Pediatrics. 2003;111;1394-1398
