Nikita Desai, DO
Resident Physician
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Miriam Bekhit, MD
Resident Physician
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Lawrence Andrew L. Chan, D.O.
Clinical Assistant Professor
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Sanjeev Agarwal, MD
Program Director
SUNY Downstate Health Science University
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Rebecca Takele, DO
PM&R Resident Physician
SUNY Downstate Health Science University
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Ernest Barthelemy, MD
Attending Physician
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Haris Choudry, MD
Residency Program Director
Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
New York, New York, United States
The patient required a multidisciplinary approach involving neurosurgery, orthopedics, ENT, physiatry, and other healthcare professionals. Postoperative rehabilitation for this patient presented several challenges including, but not limited to, airway management, neurological recovery, infection control, nutritional support, and functional recovery. Functional recovery focused on regaining strength and mobility, particularly in the right upper extremity which had been severely affected. The therapy was tailored to address muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and coordination issues.
Conclusions: Although retropharyngeal abscesses are rare in adults, they are serious and life-threatening, necessitating prompt intervention. This case demonstrates the intricate nature of managing complex cervical spine pathology and the multifaceted rehabilitation process emphasizes the importance of coordinated care to address physical and psychological aspects of recovery. This patient was discharged home with close outpatient follow-up. Her recovery was favorable, with near-complete resolution of initial symptoms and no significant long-term deficits attributed to the abscess.
