Retropharyngeal Abscess Sequel To Swallowed Meat Bone

A 5 year old boy had meat bone traumatically dislodged from his pharynx by his mother. A retropharyngeal abscess developed five days later. Diagnosis was made on lateral x- ray of the neck. The abscess was successfully drained. Culture of abscess yielded Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Complications of retropharyngeal abscess and modes of diagnosis are discussed.