Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis mimicking retropharyngeal abscess in a Nigerian child.
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is not an uncommon disease of the aero-digestive tract, usually involving points of narrowing. Involvement of the oropharynx, particularly when florid, may be easily confused with a retropharyngeal abscess.


METHODS
Case report of a 1 1/2 year-old child with florid pharyngeal RRP.


RESULTS
The clinical presentation and features on radiography of this patient mimicked retropharyngeal abscess. The patient successfully had a preoperative tracheosomy and excision of the RRP.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a diagnostic dilemma in this patient because of the identical features of the two conditions. A high index of suspicion and painstaking, careful clinical and radiological evaluation is the key to diagnosis and prompt definitive management.
Nwaorgu
O G B
OG
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University College Hospital, Ibadan. geoniks@skannet.com
Ayodele
K J
KJ
Onakoya
P A
PA
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010212:Papilloma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis