Acute Retropharyngeal Abscess Masquerading as Meningitis

• Published in: Journal of Nepal Medical Association
• Main Authors: Pirabu Sakthivel, Rijendra Yogal, Hitesh Verma, Anil Saini, Ashwin Chandran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nepal Medical Association 2017-03-01
• Subjects: Retropharyngeal abscess; Meningitis; Deep neck infection
• Online Access: https://www.jnma.com.np/jnma/index.php/jnma/article/view/2993
• ISSN: 0028-2715; 1815-672X

Retropharyngeal abscess is a potentially serious deep neck space infection occurring more frequently in children than in adults. The clinical picture of RPA is highly variable with paucity of physical findings. Prompt diagnosis of RPA especially in infants is mandatory to prevent potential fatal complications including airway obstruction. The diagnosis of RPA should be based on high index of clinical suspicion with supportive imaging studies like lateral X-ray of neck and CT. We present a case of acute retropharyngeal abscess which was initially misdiagnosed as meningitis and led to airway obstruction. This case is reported to create awareness among emergency physicians, paediatricians and otolaryngologists to have high index of suspicion in diagnosing RPA especially in infants. Keywords:  retropharyngeal abscess; meningitis; deep neck infection.