Abstract
Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is an uncommon disease entity that typically occurs in children under 5 years of age, which has the potential to cause upper airway obstruction. Upper respiratory tract infection is the most common predisposing factor to RPA in children while cervical spine tuberculosis and trauma are the major aetiological factors in the adult. We report a case of a 21-year-old Nigerian farmer with giant retropharyngeal abscess following fish bone throat injury causing life-threatening upper airway obstruction. The patient responded well to emergency tracheostomy, intraoral surgical drainage and empirical antibiotic therapy. We highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of managing such a patient.
Highlights
Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) though an uncommon disease entity occurs usually in children under the age of 5 years [1,2,3]
The pathological basis for the higher prevalence in children is due to the loose aggregate of lymph nodes in the prevertebral space which may become infected with resultant suppuration
We report a case of giant retropharyngeal abscess in a 21-year-old subsistence adult Nigerian farmer following fish bone throat injury while highlighting the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of managing this type of patient
Summary
Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) though an uncommon disease entity occurs usually in children under the age of 5 years [1,2,3]. The pathological basis for the higher prevalence in children is due to the loose aggregate of lymph nodes in the prevertebral space which may become infected with resultant suppuration. These lymph nodes are not usually present in adults because they atrophy while the child grows; retropharyngeal abscess is not a common disorder among adults. A recent study from north central Nigeria reported RPA due to fish bone but in a child [5]. We report a case of giant retropharyngeal abscess in a 21-year-old subsistence adult Nigerian farmer following fish bone throat injury while highlighting the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of managing this type of patient
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