Pyopneumothorax--a rare sequelae of retropharyngeal abscess

A case of massive pyopneumothorax as a rare sequelae of retropharyngeal abscess following fish bone ingestion is reported. An initial attempt at removal of the fish bone in the oesophagus using the fibroptic oesophagoscope was unsuccessful, causing failure of its removal and the development of this rare and potentially fatal complication. The intercommunication of the retropharyngeal space with other spaces of the neck and thorax that allow this and most other complications to occur is described. Rigid endoscopes are the instrument of choice in retrieving sharp foreign bodies in the oesophagus.