J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2015 Jun;50(3):264-267. 10.4055/jkoa.2015.50.3.264.

Acute Longus Colli Tendinitis without Calcification

• Kang CH
• Son ES
• Kim DH
• Jang HG

• KMID: 1851962
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2015.50.3.264

Abstract

Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli is an inflammatory disease caused by calcium hydroxyapatite crystal deposition in the longus colli tendon of the prevertebral space. It is also known as retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis or prevertebral tendinitis. The typical imaging characteristics of this entity are calcifications on the superior insertion of the longus colli tendons at the C1-2 level and fluid collection in the retropharyngeal space. However, we introduce a case of acute longus colli tendinitis without definite calcification deposition on image findings.

Keyword

longus colli; calcification; tendinitis

MeSH Terms

Durapatite
Tendinopathy*
Tendons
Durapatite

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Prevertebral edema (white arrows) is observed in the retropharyngeal space from the C3 to the C5 level on sagittal (A) and axial (B) T2-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI). An enhanced axial MRI (C) shows prevertebral edema without peripheral rim enhancement (white arrow) and diffuse enhancement of the longus colli (black arrow).

• 

  Figure 2 There is no definite calcific deposit on sagittal (A), axial at the level of C1-2 (B) and axial at the level of C4 (C) computed tomography scan.

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