Limitations of imaging for foreign bodies in parapharyngeal abscess and the importance of surgical exploration.

A rare cause of parapharyngeal abscess in association with a wooden skewer is presented. Despite the use of both ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scanning as diagnostic tools, the foreign body could not be identified. Only through a meticulous exploration of the neck was the foreign body located. The importance of surgical exploration even with negative imaging is discussed.