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A CT scan revealed a fluid collection in the retropharyngeal space, which partially occluded the nasopharynx, and numerous satellite lesions were identified along with cervical lymphadenopathy. The suspected abscess was drained in theatre and nasopharyngeal biopsies were taken. These revealed Epstein-Barr virus-positive NPC. Staging investigations revealed a T4N2M0l carcinoma. Treatment consisted of radical chemoradiation therapy with curative intent. NPC is known for its varied and late presentation, and is an important condition to be aware of when considering a differential diagnosis of pharyngeal masses.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1136\/bcr-2016-216718","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2016,9,16]],"date-time":"2016-09-16T08:03:10Z","timestamp":1474012990000},"page":"bcr2016216718","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/crossmarkpolicy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Large retropharyngeal abscess: a case of mistaken identity"],"prefix":"10.1136","volume":"2016","author":[{"given":"N","family":"Makaram","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"R","family":"Gohil","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Q","family":"Gardiner","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"J","family":"Manickavasagam","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"239","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2016,9,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"2025082702220165000_2016.sep16_1.bcr2016216718.1","unstructured":"Parkin DM , Whelan SL , Ferlay J , eds. 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