Abscess of the postcricoid area – a case report

Czech version

Authors: Diana Horvát Hriseňková ; Igor Hriseňko ml.; Igor Hriseňko st.; Viktória Žeňuchová
Authors‘ workplace: ORL HUMENNÉ, s. r. o., špecializovaná nemocnica v odbore otorinolaryngológie a chirurgie hlavy a krku
Published in: Otorinolaryngol Foniatr, 74, 2025, No. 3, pp. 230-233.
Category: Case Reports
doi: https://doi.org/10.48095/ccorl2025230

Overview

Abscess of the postcricoid area is among the extremely rare, but potentially life-threatening diagnoses due to the risk of airway obstruction. So far, two similar cases of postcricoid abscess have been described in the world literature. In the case report, we describe the case and our management of the postcricoid area abscess treatment in a 32-year-old female patient whose main problem was difficult and painful swallowing. The presence of Streptococcus viridans was proven by culture. The aim of the article is to draw attention to the fact that even this very rare diagnosis can be the cause of obstruction of the respiratory and swallowing tracts.

Keywords:

laryngeal diseases – deglutition disorders – postcricoid abscess – Streptococcus viridans

Sources

1. Boyce BJ, deSilva BW. Spontaneous MRSA postcricoid abscess: a case report and literature review. Laryngoscope 2014; 124 (11): 2583–2585. Doi: 10.1002/lary.24819.

2. Khandalavala KR, Bowen AJ, Ekbom DC. A rare case of posterior cricoid abscess –⁠ Initial presentation and long-term outcome. Otolaryng Case Rep 2022; 23 : 100424. Doi: 10.1016/ j.xocr.2022.100424.

3. Chiu PH, Shih CW, Tsai YJ et al. Laryngeal Ultrasound for Assessment of Supraglottic Laryngitis with Abscess. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2013; 3 (1): 24–27. Doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10023-1055.

4. Angelos C, Dimitra A. Dysphagia due to anterior cervical osteophytes complicated with hypopharynx abscess. BMJ Case Rep 2011; 23. Doi: 10.1136/bcr.11.2010.3551.

5. Newstrom E, Fan T, Welby L et al. Cricoid abscess presenting as progressive dyspnea. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 2021; 35 (2): 227–228. Doi: 10.1080/08998280.2021.2011641.

6. Ata N, Özcan İF. Spontaneous laryngeal abscess causing dysphagia. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp (Engl Ed) 2017; 68 (4): 238–240. Doi: 10.1016/j.otorri.2016.06.010.

7. Rohlfing ML, Kan K, Tierney WS et al. Historical Review and Modern Case of Spontaneous Laryngeal Abscess. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2023; 132 (8): 964–969. Doi: 10.1177/00034894 221115757.

8. Vanhille DL, Blumin JH. Laryngeal abscess formation in an immunosuppressed patient: A case report. Laryngoscope 2017; 127 (12): 2827–2829. Doi: 10.1002/lary.26693.

9. Nalini B, Vinayak S. Tuberculosis in ear, nose, and throat practice: its presentation and diagnosis. Am J Otolaryngol 2006; 27 (1): 39–45. Doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2005.07.005.

10. Fukushima S, Hagiya H, Mizuta Y et al. Multiple Deep-seated Dentofacial Abscesses Caused by Multidrug-resistant Viridans Group Streptococci. Intern Med 2020; 59 (16): 2067–2070. Doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine. 4283-20.

11. Asam D, Spellerberg B. Molecular pathogenicity of Streptococcus anginosus. Mol Oral Microbiol 2014; 29 (4): 145–155. Doi: 10.1111/omi.12056.

12. Pilarczyk-Zurek M, Sitkiewicz I, Koziel J. The Clinical View on Streptococcus anginosus Group –⁠ Opportunistic Pathogens Coming Out of Hiding. Front Microbiol 2022; 13. Doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.956677.

13. Matoušek P, Komínek P, Vantuch P. Retrofaryngoezofageální absces. Otorinolaryngol Foniatr 2003; 52 (3): 149–152.