Imaging Case of the Week 364 Answer

The lateral neck x-ray shows severe widening of the prevertebral soft tissue space.

The patient had high fever, recent sore throat and difficulty moving his neck. The inflammatory markers were high. With a presumed diagnosis of retro-pharyngeal abscess, the patient was admitted under ENT specialist for further management.

In children, the prevertebral soft tissue space should be less than 7 mm above C4 vertebra and up to 14 mm in front of C5-C7.