A 30-month-old child is brought to the emergency room (ER)by the parents.The child appears to have a sore throat along with dysphagia,fever,and voice changes.The child exhibits "hot potato voice." Visualization of the posterior pharynx reveals a displaced retropharynx.What condition does this child likely have?

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Retropharyngeal abscess commonly occurs in children younger than 3 years of age and can cause obstruction from forward displacement of the posterior pharyngeal wall.Infectious agents involved are Group A Streptococcus,Staphylococcus aureus,and,occasionally,anaerobic bacteria.The child often presents with a sore throat,fever,dysphagia,and voice changes.The voice sounds as if the child is attempting to speak without moving the tongue while maximally expanding the oropharyngeal airway.This is described as "hot potato voice." A lateral neck radiograph is obtained to determine the tissue thickness surrounding the abscess.Visualization of the posterior pharynx may reveal a displaced retropharynx.Surgical drainage is the preferred treatment,along with administration of appropriate antibiotics based on culture results of the aspirated material.

A 30-Month-Old Child Is Brought to the Emergency Room (ER)by