Deep neck space infections are commonly seen in the pediatric population. The diagnosis, however, can be challenging to make and requires a high degree of suspicion because of developmental and age-related factors in children and non-specific presenting symptoms. Diagnosis becomes further complicated in patients whose comorbid conditions mask some of the more severe systemic symptoms. We present a case of a 2-year-old female with Trisomy 21 who presented with a chief concern of "tongue swelling" per parents. After initially failing treatment for presumed angioedema caused by an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, she was ultimately diagnosed with a parapharyngeal abscess with extension and mass effect causing tongue protrusion. This case represents a novel early presentation of a common infection and highlights the challenges of diagnosing deep neck space infections in children.
Keywords: deep neck space infections; parapharyngeal abscess; pediatric emergency; tongue protrusion.
© 2020 The Authors. JACEP Open published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of the American College of Emergency Physicians.