3 Cases of Acute Retropharyngeal Calcific Tendinitis Misconceived as Acute Retropharyngeal Abscess.
10.3342/kjorl-hns.2011.54.6.411
- Author:
Chang Hee LEE
1
;
Se Hyung HUH
;
Sung Min JIN
;
Sang Hyuk LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. entlsh@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Retropharynx;
Calcification;
Tendinitis
- MeSH:
Calcium;
Deglutition Disorders;
Humans;
Muscles;
Neck;
Neck Pain;
Pharyngitis;
Range of Motion, Articular;
Retropharyngeal Abscess;
Spasm;
Tendinopathy;
Tendons
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2011;54(6):411-414
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
