The authors describe the case of a retro-pharyngeal-esophageal abscesswhich became manifest by dysphagia and, especially, by neurological signs, i.e. by a not quite typical symptomatology. The abscess was not uncovered even by esophageal passage, radidographic examination or esophagoscopy.The correct diagnosis wasestablished bycomputer tomography.The authors discuss suitability and, particularly, the time sequence of the methods of imaging. Sonography does not appear suitable for the diagnosis of the retropharyngeal pathology, it is especially the CT examination which should be done in time. The CT examination is a master method in the diagnosis of pathology in retropharyngeal andretroesophageal space. It should bemadewithout delay especially in cases of uncertainty of in patients with vague clinical symptomatology, such was the described case of the 65-year man with diabetes.

        Key words: retropharyngeal space, retropharyngeal abscess, collar mediastinotomy.