Retropharyngeal abscess after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: an uncommon but potentially fatal complication.

Diagnostic cholangiopancreatography is a useful procedure which is attended by a relatively low incidence of immediate or delayed complications. Perforation of the esophagus or gut, myocardial infarction, hemorrhage, cholangitis, and pancreatitis are the most commonly reported morbid or fatal events. This paper reported a case of retropharyngeal abscess which led to tracheal compression requiring an emergency tracheostomy and antibiotic therapy after a routine ERCP procedure. This dramatic case pointed out an unusual but potentially fatal complication of diagnostic ERCP.