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Pyopneumothorax—a rare sequelae of retropharyngeal abscess

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

S. Lokman*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
A. Sani
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
D. S. Sidek
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
*
Dr Lokman Saim, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abd. Aziz, Kuala Lumpur 50300 Malaysia.

Abstract

A case of massive pyopneumothorax as a rare sequelae of retropharyngeal abscess following fish bone ingestion is reported. An initial attempt at removal of the fish bone in the oesophagus using the fibroptic oesophagoscope was unsuccessful, causing failure of its removal and the development of this rare and potentially fatal complication. The intercommunication of the retropharyngeal space with other spaces of the neck and thorax that allow this and most other complications to occur is described. Rigid endoscopes are the instrument of choice in retrieving sharp foreign bodies in the oesophagus.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1993

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