Retropharyngeal abscess as a complication of oropharyngeal trauma in an 18-month-old child

An 18-month-old boy presented to the accident and emergency department foll owing trauma to the oropharynx by a doll's umbrella. Although no significan t injury could be identified at first, it later transpired that he had deve loped retropharyngeal surgical emphysema with abscess. This case report aim s to review the nature of retropharyngeal abscesses and to highlight and re -emphasize the fact that apparently non-serious pharyngeal injuries in chil dren should be treated with suspicion.