Abcès rétropharyngé de l’enfant [Retropharyngeal abscess in children]

Abstract

A retropharyngeal abscess is a collection of pus located behind the posterior pharyngeal wall. Main symptoms include torticoli, pyrexia and odynodysphagia. It can be secondary to upper airway infections, pharyngeal penetrating trauma or idiopathic. Complications are rare, but may be life-threatening due to airway obstruction or infection's spread to the surrounding structures. Surgery is conducted in case of abscess > 2 cm on CT scan images, complication or worsening of the symptoms. This article presents a clinical case with literature review