Acute Calcific Tendinitis of the Longus Colli Muscles: An Entity That Should Be Known by Emergency Radiologists

Abstract

Acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle (LCM) also called acute calcific prevertebral tendinitis or retropharyngeal tendinitis is an inflammatory process of the LCM that results in acute and debilitating symptoms. Although the imaging appearances of this uncommon condition are specific, due to the rarity of this entity and lack of familiarity, it can be sometimes misdiagnosed as a retropharyngeal abscess. This case report presents characteristic radiological features of the acute calcific tendinitis of the LCM, which may be helpful for the emergency radiologist to accurately diagnose this condition to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions.

Acute neck tendonitis with dyspnea: A case report

“…The high resolution of CT can identify small calcifications within tendons that are often not shown on X-ray and can identify calcifications rather than dense shadows of other skeletal sources. Calcification is generally located below the anterior arch of the atlas, and anterior to the odontoid process along the axis[ 7 ]. CT helps confirm the presence of prevertebral effusion and rule out other pathological findings, such as fractures or abscesses.…”