Retropharyngeal Abscess-A Case Report-

A case of retropharyngeal abscess is reported. A four and one half-year-old girl was admitted with progressive swelling of the neck, accompanied by sore throat, neck pain, anorexia and dyspnea. Physical examination found a protrusion mass on the posterior pharyngeal wall. A lateral X-ray film of the neck showed increased, retropharyngeal space. The white count was 27,500/mm^3. The patient was treated with oxacillin, but the abscess ruptured spontaneously on the next day. Incision and drainage under general anesthesia were immediately performed by an otolaryngologist. Pus culture yielded a-hemolytic streptococcus. After seven days of antibiotic therapy, the patient was discharged uneventfully.