Retropharyngeal abscess: a previously unreported symptom.

Four cases of retropharyngeal abscess are presented. All patients were older than the usual age group and all complained of pain in the back of the neck or shoulder precipitated or aggravated by swallowing. All recovered. The clinical features of retropharyngeal abscess are discussed, and the possible importance of this previously undescribed symptom in distinguishing retropharyngeal abscess from other less serious disease entities is proposed.