Retropharyngeal Abscess Presenting as Torticollis

Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is a deep neck infection with life-threatening complications such as airway obliteration, necrotizing mediastinitis, and pulmonary empyema, which must be diagnosed early and treated promptly. We herein present a patient who was admitted to the emergency room with limited neck movement, torticollis, difficulty in swallowing, and a feeling that something is stuck in the throat and diagnosed with RPA. Plain lateral radiograph of the neck revealed air levels at the level of C3-C5. Computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the diagnosis of RPA. After emergency surgery, clinical condition normalised in a short time, and at a 2-week postoperative follow-up, the retropharyngeal area was completely normal on endoscopic examination. It is important to recognise and treat RPA, which has a high mortality due to its complications. RPA should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of patients with neck pain and torticollis, particularly in adults. Key Words: Retropharyngeal abscess, Drainage, Trendelenburg position, Torticollis.