title: Pharyngeal abscess presenting with upper airway obstruction and atlanto-axial subluxation in a small infant.
abstract: We describe an infant who presented with a combination of upper airway obstruction and atlanto-axial subluxation, secondary to a pharyngeal abscess resulting from cosmetic ear piercing. This combination posed a number of difficulties for the anasthetist and a detailed plan was formulated to prepare the child for anasthesia.
authors.affiliation: Specialist Registrar; Consultant, Department of Anasthesia, Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Trust, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brookes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moriarty
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000379:methods; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000150:complications*