Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2011 Jun;54(6):411-414. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2011.54.6.411.

3 Cases of Acute Retropharyngeal Calcific Tendinitis Misconceived as Acute Retropharyngeal Abscess

• Lee CH
• Huh SH
• Jin SM
• Lee SH

• KMID: 2277246
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2011.54.6.411

Abstract

Acute retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis or calcific tendinitis of the longus is an under-recognized clinical syndrome first described by Hartley in 1964. This syndrome is caused by calcium hydroxylapatate deposition in the longus colli muscle and tendon. Patients typically present with acute neck pain, neck spasm, a restrained range of motion, odynophagia, dysphagia and sore throat. Clinically, it can be misconceived as acute retropharyngeal abscess because of its rather non-specific presentation and rare occurrence. Diagnosis of retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis can be made radiographically with plain radiograph and CT by detecting calcifications anterior to C1-C3 and swelling prevertebral soft tissue. Recognizing this radiologic imaging findings and features can prevent unnecessary treatment and test. We report three patients with acute prevertebral calcific tendinitis, which was misdiagnosed as acute retropharyngeal abscess.

Keyword

Retropharynx; Calcification; Tendinitis

MeSH Terms

Calcium
Deglutition Disorders
Humans
Muscles
Neck
Neck Pain
Pharyngitis
Range of Motion, Articular
Retropharyngeal Abscess
Spasm
Tendinopathy
Tendons
Calcium