A2 1/2-year-old boy presents with a severe sore throat, muffled voice and difficulty opening and closing his mouth. on examination, the oropharynx is markedly erythematous without exudates. a soft tissue x-ray of the neck is obtained and shown. what diagnosis is suggested by the film? a. epiglottitisb. peritonsillar abscessc. retropharyngeal abscessd. tracheitis

The answer is C. retropharyngeal abscess.

Explanation:

A 2 and a half year old patient with severe sore throat, aphonic, pain and difficulty to open and close the mouth and who on physical examination presents markedly erythematous oropharynx without exudate. The soft tissue radiograph of the neck gives us the diagnostic impression that it is a retropharyngeal abscess. Very common in children under 5 years of age.