Retropharyngeal Tuberculous Abscess: A Rare Cause of Upper Airway Obstruction and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children: A Case Report

J Trop Pediatr. 2019 Dec 1;65(6):642-645. doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmz018.

Abstract

Retropharyngeal tuberculous abscess (RPTBA) is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis (TB) even in high TB burden areas. It rarely manifests as a cause of upper airway obstruction and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with few case reports in the literature. We report a 22 months old toddler who presented with upper airway obstruction and OSA and was diagnosed with RPTBA. The child recovered completely and growing normally after intra-oral aspiration and 6 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; airway obstruction; children; retropharyngeal abscess; sleep apnea.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / etiology*
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Paracentesis
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / complications*
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / microbiology
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / therapy
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / etiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Tuberculosis / complications*
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents