Head and Neck ImagingAbscess, retropharyngeal
collection of pus within the
retropharyngeal space (
Fig.1). In children, the infection usually begins in the lymphatic tissue of
Waldeyers ring, with subsequent extension towards the retropharyngeal
lymph nodes. Suppuration and rupture of such an adenopathy produces a retropharyngeal abscess. In adults, such an abscess may be secondary to traumatic pharyngeal perforation or to anterior spread of
cervical osteomyelitis, or following a surgical intervention on the
cervical spine. An untreated retropharyngeal abscess may spread into the surrounding neck spaces or down towards the mediastinum.
RH
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Axial contrast-enhanced CT image. Large retropharyngeal fluid collection, showing irregular rim enhancement and important mass effect on the hypopharynx.
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Abscess, retropharyngeal, Fig.1 | |