Deep Neck Infection Following Transesophageal Echocardiography: A Case Report and Literature Review

Deep neck infections (DNIs) are rare but potentially life-threatening complications of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). DNIs can lead to severe outcomes if not promptly diagnosed and treated. This case report describes a 70-year-old male who developed a DNI 3 days after undergoing TEE. He presented with fever, sore throat, and chills. The initial chest X-ray (CXR) in the emergency department was interpreted as negative. However, a computed tomography (CT) scan performed after admission due to persistent neck symptoms confirmed the presence of a retropharyngeal abscess and emphysema. A retrospective review of the CXR revealed subtle neck changes that were initially overlooked. Although rare, early diagnosis of DNIs requires recognizing key symptoms, conducting a thorough clinical history, and utilizing appropriate imaging. A review of similar cases highlighted procedural risk factors that could influence treatment duration. This case emphasizes the importance of correlating clinical findings with imaging and escalating to advanced diagnostics when clinical suspicion remains high.