Primary tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess

Nengi Alazigha, Dibaal Sunny O

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a public health concern and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Isolated retropharyngeal tuberculosis presenting as a deep neck abscess without cervical and pulmonary involvement is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. It is potentially deadly and constitutes a diagnostic dilemma. We present the case of an adult male who presented with neck pain and odynophagia. A diagnosis of tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess was made based on the history, physical examination, laboratory and computed tomography investigations. The patient made remarkable improvement following anti-tuberculosis therapy