Retropharyngeal Abscess as an Uncommon Cause of Torticollis in a Child

Abstract

Torticollis is a clinical manifestation of musculoskeletal pathologies and it is often underestimated as the first symptom of an infection of the retropharyngeal space. It accounts for about one-fourth of retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) presentations in children. Early imaging studies may help to get the diagnosis of RPA and to offer prompt surgical intervention to avoid complications such as upper airway obstruction. Thus, torticollis should not be only treated symptomatically without the exclusion of serious retropharyngeal abscess because a delay in the definitive diagnosis and implementation of adequate therapy may be fatal.