[Cold parapharyngeal abscess in spondylodiscitis].
BACKGROUND: The principle danger of pharyngeal abscess is the risk of rupture overflow into the upper respiratory track. Pyogenic abscesses are the most frequent and tuberculosis is rare. We report two cases of retro and parapharyngeal abscesses with tuberculous spondylodiscitis. CASE REPORTS: The first case occurred in a 54-year-old woman, the second in a 19-year-old man. Both had a laterocervical swelling associated with a oropharyneal bulge that progressed over several months. Computed tomography showed abscess formation and spinal disease in both cases. Drainage of the abscess led to the distological diagnosis of tuberculosis. Medical management was successful with resolution of the abscess and spinal lesions. DISCUSSION: Spinal tuberculosis should be suspected in patients with a parapharyngeal abscess without detectable portal that progresses slowly. A biopsy specimen is required for diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging can provide early evidence of spondylodiscities. Medical treatment is indicated.