Retropharyngeal abscess

Retropharyngeal abscess occurs in the posterior pharyngeal space. It is mostly caused by infection of the suppurary lymph nodes with suppuration. It is divided into two types: acute and chronic. Acute cases are more common in children. Chronic patients are rare, and abscesses are mostly formed by cervical tuberculosis, also known as cold abscess. This section discusses acute suppurative postpharyngeal abscesses.