Retropharyngeal abscess

Gets mentioned a lot ok

Deep space neck infections
Etiology The evil cousin (complication) of Quinsy, sore throat, Epiglottitis, whatnot
Epidemiology
Clinical presentation Torticollis/Head held in extension; trismus, drooling, dysphagia
Pathogenesis see Tissue spaces in neck
Diagnostic investigations
Management Basically a combination of Impending airway doom and Impending septic doom
I+D

#anatomy-neck #ent

https://www.rcemlearning.co.uk/modules/torticollis/

neck X-rays for your consideration

https://radiopaedia.org/cases/prevertebral-soft-tissue-swelling-retropharyngeal-abscess-1?lang=gb
https://radiopaedia.org/cases/retropharyngeal-abscess-4?lang=gb
Compare with normal: https://radiopaedia.org/cases/normal-soft-tissue-neck-lateral-radiograph?lang=gb
https://radiopaedia.org/cases/retropharyngeal-abscess-due-to-shrapnel?lang=gb