A case of retropharyngeal abscess with spondylitis causing tetraplegia

Abstract

We report a case of retropharyngeal abscess with spondylitis causing tetraplegia. At a previous hospital, administration of antibiotics improved the inflammation findings. However, magnetic resonace imaging showed a remaining retropharyngeal abscess. This patient showed a disturbance of consciousness under this therapy. Therefore, he was admitted to our hospital and underwent a drainage operation. At 1 day after this operation, he recovered from the disturbance of consciousness.

Keywords

• retropharyngeal abscess
• spondylitis
• tetraplegia
• magnetic resonance imaging
• drainage operation.