OBJECTIVE: To highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of deep neck infections and abscesses. CASE REPORT: A 2-year-old girl was brought to the otolaryngology service with sore throat and loss of appetite for the past 3 weeks. Otorhinolaryngological examination showed bulging in the left peritonsillar region without exudate, along with bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy with a larger number of nodes palpable on the left side. Treatment was initiated with antibiotics and steroids. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the neck showed a hypodense lesion with peripheral enhancement involving the parapharyngeal space; the lesion extended to the left with narrowing of the oropharyngeal air space. The abscess was drained under general anesthesia with the release of abundant pus. There was partial relief after the procedure, and the patient was asymptomatic at the time of discharge 2 days later. CONCLUSION: Deep neck infections are important in medical practice because they can progress in severity unless treated quickly and effectively. Contrast-enhanced imaging makes a difference to management by facilitating the diagnosis and suggesting the best approach to treatment. The topic remains controversial in the literature and further studies are needed in the area.
