Fever, delirium and incontinence: not always a UTI.

Unexplained fever and confusion is a common reason for emergency medical admission. When this occurs in the context of new urinary incontinence, a urinary tract infection may be considered to be the most likely cause. However it is also important to consider spinal pathology when this combination of symptoms arises. We present a case of a retropharygeal collection presenting in a patient with this combination of symptoms.