A rare case of posterior cricoid abscess - Initial presentation and long-term outcome

Abstract

This is a case of an immunocompromised patient with 3-months of progressive shortness of breath initially diagnosed as asthma exacerbations that ultimately required hospitalization. In-hospital otorhinolaryngology examination revealed clinically significant inspiratory stridor, prompting laryngeal CT evaluation which demonstrated a posterior cricoid abscess. This finding led to intraoperative incision and drainage of the abscess with placement of a tracheostomy. In the 18-month follow up period, the patient remains tracheostomy dependent given clinically significant bilateral vocal fold cricoarytenoid joint fixation, despite multiple intraoperative measures to open the airway.

Keywords

• Airway stenosis
• Imaging
• Infection