A Rare Cause of Retropharyngeal Abscess: Cervical Pott’s Disease

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) disease is commonly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Tuberculosis is known to affect almost every organ in the body, but its manifestations in the head and the neck region are quite rare. Tuberculous retropharyngeal abscesses are exceptional. They are usually secondary to tuberculosis of the spine.We report one case of cervical Pott’s disease revealed by a retropharyngeal abscess. The clinical presentation was dysphagia with bilateral neck swelling. Radiological findings suggested the diagnosis, showing a retropharyngeal collection with vertebral osteolysis. The histological assessment confirmed the diagnosis showing several granulomas with central caseous necrosis. The evolution was favorable after drainage and anti-tuberculosis drugs.Vertebral tuberculosis is rare. Cervical Pott’s disease is exceptional, and retropharyngeal abscesses can be the revealing feature of this condition. Symptoms are not specific. The diagnosis is based on radiological and bacteriological assessment. Treatment implicates a multidisciplinary team, first the evacuation of the collection, then anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy