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Orbital abscess of rhinosinogenic origin may develop, either by contiguous spread of the infection or by a thrombophlebitic process. While destruction of the bony walls of the paranasal sinus occurs in propagation of the infection by tissue continuity, haematogenous spread may take place through intact bone. Computed tomography demonstrates the status of the bony partitions shared by the orbit and paranasal sinuses, and the source of the orbital sepsis, thereby influencing the therapeutic approach.

An unusual case of synergistic infection caused by Salmonella paratyphi and anaerobic streptococcus resulting in necrotizing cervical infection associated with deep neck abscess and internal jugular vein thrombosis, is presented. Salmonella acting as an oxygen consumer in the infected tissues, facilitates the growth of anaerobic cocci, hence the development of a devastating soft tissue infection. The precipitating cause was a tonsillar infection developing due to 'post-anginal sepsis'. The aetiopathogenesis of the cervical infection is discussed.

Retropharyngeal abscess complicated by suppuration in the central nervous system, intra- or extraaxial, is rare. Acute transverse myelopathy complicating a retropharyngeal abscess may be more frequent than epidural spinal abscess and usually affects the thoracic cord. Therefore, the occurrence of acute high cervical transverse myelopathy is rarely encountered and warrants reporting. The need for neuroradiologic diagnostic evaluation is emphasized in order to rule out a surgically treatable lesion.