Retropharyngeal abscess after blunt trauma in an adolescent

Pediatr Emerg Care. 1998 Dec;14(6):406-8. doi: 10.1097/00006565-199812000-00007.

Abstract

Retropharyngeal abscess is an unusual infection in teenagers, and it is rarely associated with blunt trauma. We present the case of 17-year-old male who developed signs and symptoms of retropharyngeal abscess soon after being struck by a car. The case illustrates that retropharyngeal abscess should be considered, even in an adolescent, if the patient has fever, neck stiffness, and sore throat with symptoms out of proportion to the oropharyngeal findings.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Empyema / complications
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinitis / etiology
  • Neck Injuries / complications*
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / diagnosis*
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / etiology*
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / microbiology
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Streptococcal Infections / etiology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / therapy
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / complications*