Acute Retropharyngeal Abscess Masquerading as Meningitis

Authors

  • Pirabu Sakthivel Department of ENT, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
  • Rijendra Yogal Department of ENT, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
  • Hitesh Verma Department of ENT, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
  • Anil Saini Department of ENT, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
  • Ashwin Chandran Department of ENT, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.2993

Keywords:

Retropharyngeal abscess; Meningitis; Deep neck infection

Abstract

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.

References

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Published

2017-03-27

How to Cite

Sakthivel, P., Yogal, R., Verma, H., Saini, A., & Chandran, A. (2017). Acute Retropharyngeal Abscess Masquerading as Meningitis. Journal of Nepal Medical Association, 56(205), 186–188. https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.2993

Issue

Vol. 56 No. 205 (2017)

Section

Case Reports

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