[Torticollis after unnoticed pharyngeal perforation: suspected retropharyngeal abscess]

Pharyngeal perforations due to foreign bodies are severe when retropharyngeal space infection develops into an abscess. Although the common clinical presentation is sore throat and fever, when the perforation remains occult, torticollis can be a significant symptom. Palatopharyngeal lesions, caused by rigid objects' impactation through the mouth, are common in childhood. Most are not important, but all have the potential hazard of pharyngeal perforation with development of a retropharyngeal abscess. It must be suspected specially when air is shown in the retropharyngeal space on a lateral radiography of the neck, which should always be done. We report a 9-years old boy who had cervical stiffness and torticollis and elevation of the right shoulder, without previous known trauma. Air was shown in the retropharyngeal space on a lateral radiography of the neck in relation to a possible pharyngeal perforation which was later confirmed by a CT scan. We review the literature about diagnosis and treatment of retropharyngeal abscess in childhood.