Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle.

BACKGROUND

Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle is an aseptic inflammatory reaction to calcium hydroxyapatite crystal deposition in the cervical prevertebral space.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 40-year-old woman presented with neck pain and odonyphagia. She had reduced mobility in her neck, tenderness to palpation and elevated CRP with normal leukocyte count and sedimentation rate. CT revealed a fluid collection in the retropharyngeal space and a calcific deposition in the longus colli muscle consistent with calcific tendinitis. She improved with NSAID therapy. Blood cultures taken on arrival showed no growth.

INTERPRETATION

Acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle is an aseptic inflammatory process in the cervical prevertebral space and an important mimicker of retropharyngeal abscess and spondylodiscitis.