- Title:
- Retropharyngeal abscess presenting with acute respiratory distress in a case of cervical spondylodiscitis
- Authors:
- S. Avcu*, Ö. Ünal*, A. Turan*, M. Krs** and K. Yuca**
- Institutions:
- *Departments of Radiology, **Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Yüzüncü Yl University Medical Faculty Van, Turkey
- Keywords:
- Acute respiratory distress; retropharyngeal abscess; spondylodiscitis
- Pages:
- 63 - 65
- Abstract:
- Retropharyngeal abscess presenting with acute respiratory distress in a case of cervical spondylodiscitis. We treated a 41-year-old man who presented with dysphagia, fever and respiratory distress. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) extending to the C5-6 level, C5-6 spondylodiscitis and a spinal epidural abscess. The RPA was drained surgically under emergency conditions. Because the tuberculin skin test was positive, the patient underwent a triple anti-tuberculous drugs regimen. After six months of drug therapy, the epidural abscess was completely resolved. One of the most important aetiologies of RPA is thought to be tuberculous spondylo- discitis, and cervical vertebrae should be scanned thoroughly with pre-operative MRI.
- Issue:
- Vol. 6, 2010, 1st trimester
- Download:
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Retropharyngeal abscess presenting with acute respiratory distress in a case of cervical spondylodiscitis