A Case of Retropharyngeal Abscess in a Child without Severe Symptoms

Abstract

The occurrence of retropharyngeal abscess in children has decreased due to antibiotic therapy. We report a case of retropharyngeal abscess in a 1-year and 2-month-old boy. The patient complained of rhinorrhea and snoozing for 3 weeks without severe symptoms such as pyrexia and dyspnea. The soft tissue X-ray film of the neck and CT findings suggested a retropharyngeal abscess. We performed emergent transoral drainage under general anesthesia. After surgery, cefpirome sulfate was administered intravenously. Bacteriological examination of a specimen of pus revealed β-streptococcus haemolyticus A. The patient was discharged without any complications on the 13th hospital day. The importance of the early diagnosis and treatment of this disease was discussed.