title: Fatal pyothorax: a rare complication of retropharyngeal abscess.
abstract: Fatal pyothorax following a massive acute retropharyngeal abscess in an adult is reported. Acute non-tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess usually develops following a penetrating injury due to a foreign body or endoscopy. Microbial isolates are mixed and consists of aerobic and anaerobic organisms. It may lead on to mediastinitis since there is a potential communication between the two spaces. Immediate cervical, pleural and mediastinal surgical drainage along with appropriate antibiotics can be life saving.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, India.
authors.forename: Ishwar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chanda
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: S P S
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Yadav
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy