Retropharyngeal abscess is an unusual infection in teenagers, and it is rar
ely associated with blunt trauma. We present the case of 17-year-old male w
ho developed signs and symptoms of retropharyngeal abscess soon after being
struck by a car. The case illustrates that retropharyngeal abscess should
be considered, even in an adolescent, if the patient has fever, neck stiffn
ess, and sore throat with symptoms out of proportion to the oropharyngeal f
indings.