Descriptions of the clinical features of retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) in textbooks and journals have been varied. Some have described a presentation similar to that of acute epiglottitis, with fever, stridor, and drooling. Others have emphasised neck swelling or non-specific symptoms such as irritability, fever, and refusal to eat. Neck rigidity, neck hyperextension, or meningism have been included and yet others have referred to a paucity of clinical findings. Clinicians in Salt Lake City (

) have reported their experience with 64 children over a 5-year period (1993–98).

During the study period …