• Jack Diep, David Kam, Keith A Kuenzler, and Jill F Arthur.
• From the *Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey; †New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey; ‡Division of Pediatric Surgery, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey; and §Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey.
• A A Case Rep. 2016 Feb 1; 6 (3): 61-4.

AbstractRetropharyngeal abscesses are deep neck space infections that can lead to life-threatening airway emergencies and other catastrophic complications. Retropharyngeal abscesses demand prompt diagnosis and early establishment of a definitive airway when there is airway compromise. This can be difficult in an uncooperative patient. We present the case of a 12-year-old girl with mediastinitis and tracheal compression and anterior displacement from a large retropharyngeal and posterior mediastinal abscess secondary to traumatic esophageal perforation, who received successful awake nasal fiberoptic intubation. Anesthesiologists must be prepared for airway emergencies in uncooperative patients, especially children, but there is controversy concerning the use of sedation.

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