Neck Stiffness with Retropharyngeal Abscess

This is an important diagnostic pearl. Retropharyngeal abscess can present with serve neck stiffness and pain with movement. Work up for meningitis is sometimes mistakenly performed. Retropharyngeal abscess is a life threatening condition if not recognized and treated. This video presents a little girl with severe neck stiffness and a large retropharyngeal abscess.