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Am J Perinatol 2003; 20(5): 227-232
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-42338
Copyright © 2003 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Branchial-Cleft Sinus Presenting with a Retropharyngeal Abscess for a Newborn: A Case Report

Chia-Chang Tsai1 , Chun Chung Lui2 , Mei-Yung Chung1 , Tan-Yung Ko1
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
  • 2Department of Radiology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Publication History

Publication Date:
18 September 2003 (online)

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ABSTRACT

A retropharyngeal abscess rarely occurs in the neonate. We report a neonate without apparent trauma who presented with a left neck mass and respiratory distress at the fourth day of age. A lateral neck X-ray revealed a widened retropharyngeal space. A neck computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a space-occupying lesion with air content in the left retropharyngeal area, although direct laryngoscopy, endoscopy, and a pharyngoesophagogram did not demonstrate the presence of any fistula tract. Due to the high index of suspicion for an aero-digestive tract fistula, diluted contrast medium was injected into the cyst while performing a CT-guided aspiration, and opacification was found in the oropharynx, thus a branchial-cleft sinus appeared to be most likely. The follow-up neck CT scan revealed no evidence of any recurrence. We suggest that CT-guided aspiration and cystography are useful for the diagnosis and treatment of some neonatal neck cystic lesions.

KEYWORDS

Retropharyngeal abscess - neonate - branchial-cleft sinus - computed tomographic scan

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