Acute non-tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess in adults (case reports of three patients)

Acute non-tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess in adults usually occurs after trauma to the pharynx and oesophagus. However, it may present secondarily to head and neck infection and should be borne in mind when dealing with patients who complain of cervical pain. The probable route of spread is via the lymphatics to a persistent retropharyngeal lymph node. Rarely, the abscess may occur spontaneously. The abscess can be drained safely via a transoral route, as in children, or by an external route.