Parapharyngeal or retropharyngeal abscess is a difficult situation in pediatric population. Most patients with deep neck abscess have fever, odynophagia and stridor with swelling of neck. Children less than one year of age often present with fever only that leads to delay in diagnosis. He had been running on and off high-grade fever for 10 weeks duration and breathing difficulty. He was treated conservatively with antibiotics, antipyretics and nebulization initially in primary health center. As there was no response with this medication, he was investigated further. After examination, CECT neck was done which revealed deep neck abscesses. Immediate admission and surgical intervention were planned. Stridor relieved immediately after the surgery. Post operatively, laryngoscopy was done. Patient’s oral food intake also improved gradually. He was discharged after two days of surgery on oral antibiotics and analgesics. On 15th postoperative day, he presented with noisy breathing and poor oral intake. On examination retro-pharyngeal bulge was increased in size. Ultrasound neck showed pus collection. Incision and drainage were done perorally under general anesthesia. Postoperative period was uneventful. He revisited after 15 and 30 days, he was asymptomatic and on examination throat was clear.

Dr. Sangita Sengar holds an MS in ENT from Medical College, Kanpur. She specializes in skull base surgery, neck surgery, and sialendoscopy, and is a pioneer of sialendoscopy in Northern India. Dr. Sengar has presented papers at numerous national and international conferences. Currently, she leads the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at The Medihelp Hospital in Kanpur, India.