Opinion Statement <p>Retropharyngeal and Peritonsillar abscesses have similar complications, antibiotic choices, and management, but their treatment is quite different due to scope of practice of emergency medicine, and patient characteristics. When a patient has a retropharyngeal abscess, they are often less than 5 years old, holding their neck in flexed position and appear toxic. Prompt otolaryngology and anesthesiology consultation is important in these presentations because they so often require surgical management. Getting airway supplies ready, including advanced adjuncts, is crucial. Though lateral x-rays are not <i>gold standard</i>, they are extremely helpful because they are non-invasive and allow the patient to stay in a position of comfort. If IV access can be obtained safely, it is usually ampicillin-sulbactam which is recommended, due to its broad coverage. Treatment of peritonsillar abscess does not theoretically require otolaryngology consultation upon presentation, because many more patients are treated at the bedside and subsequently in the outpatient setting than those with retropharyngeal abscess. These patients often complain of one-sided pain, and present with a unilateral fluctuant bulge at the back of the throat. Usually, the patient presents prior to significant airway compromise or toxicity, in part due to older demographic and therefore earlier diagnosis before airway compromise is a concern. Needle aspiration is a safe and effective management strategy and sending the patient home with oral antibiotics same day is typical. Consultants prefer cross-sectional imaging if available, as it assists planning aspiration (or surgical management) because measurements can be made prior to intervention. Foregoing imaging, instead draining the most fluctuant area of a peritonsillar abscess may be appropriate, as it provides tracks from which purulence may escape. Antibiotic recommendations are listed in the text.</p>