Retropharyngeal abscess is a collection of pus in the tissues in the back of the throat. It is a potentially life-threatening medical condition.

See also: Peritonsillar abscess

Retropharyngeal abscess generally affects children under age 5. Infected material (pus) builds up in the space around the tissues at the back of the throat. This can occur during or immediately following a throat infection.

• Recent sore throat or infected nose or teeth
• High fever
• Severe throat pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Drooling
• Breathing difficulty
• Intercostal retractions (the muscles between the ribs pull in when breathing)
• Stridor (a high-pitched sound when inhaling)

The health care provider will perform a physical examine and look inside the throat. The doctor or nurse may gently rub the back of the throat with a cotton swab, so that a sample of tissue can be more closely examined. This is called a throat culture.

A complete blood count may be done to check for signs of infection. An x-ray or CT scan of the neck may show pus in the space between throat and neck.