Retropharyngeal abscess

Lateral neck radiograph demonstrating widening of the retropharyngeal space and reversal of the normal cervical spine curvature. The retropharyngeal space normally measures one-half the width of the adjacent vertebral body and is considered widened if it is greater than a full vertebral body at C2 or 3 when the spine is properly extended in an infant or child younger than 5 years of age. The epiglottis and subglottic area in this radiograph are normal.