Pathways in the diagnosis of prevertebral tendinitis

Vollmann, Robert; Hammer, Georg; Simbrunner, J.

doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.02.061

Cited by 20 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…In five cases, fine needle aspiration from the retropharyngeal space was done. In another five cases, unnecessary surgical intervention was performed due to misdiagnosis [6, 7]. Antibiotics were given in 32 cases (about 14%).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longus colli tendinitis. A review of literature and case series

Shawky

Elnady

Elmorshidy

et al. 2017

SICOT-J

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Purpose: To increase the awareness of longus colli tendinitis (LCT) among spine specialists and to present a practical overview of diagnostic and treatment options, so that unnecessary interventions are avoided. Five sample cases from a German spine center will also be presented. Methods: Literature review and case series. A PubMed search was performed in May 2015, and the articles found were reviewed for clinical presentation, investigations, and treatment. The frequency of publication of LCT cases and the specialty of journals were also noted. Recent cases treated in our institution were also reviewed. The clinical findings, investigations, and therapeutic interventions were summarized. Results: The PubMed search from May 2015 found 104 articles, published over 51 years, on the topic of LCT. Only four were published in spine journals. A review of this literature yielded a total of 242 cases. The classic clinical triad included neck pain, limitation of movements, and swallowing complaints. C-reactive Protein (CRP) values were available in 21 cases (mean 23.66 mg/dL). A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan was the best diagnostic modality. LCT is usually a self-limiting condition, but non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help alleviate discomfort. Five cases of LCT were diagnosed and treated in our center over the past three years. Conclusions: LCT, which is uncommon and has non-specific symptoms, is often referred to spine centers. Spine specialists should be aware of its clinical presentation and radiographic findings in order to avoid unnecessary interventions. The condition is self-limiting and can be treated conservatively.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longus colli tendinitis. A review of literature and case series

Shawky

Elnady

Elmorshidy

et al. 2017

SICOT-J

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“…In any patient with neck pain and a unilateral swelling, it has long been ingrained that the possibility of a retropharyngeal abscess must be quickly accessed before it can impinge the airway. While clinically they present with similar symptoms, studies have also shown multiple cases have been misread through imaging [10]. Vollmann et al concluded that although retropharyngeal tendonitis was best seen on MRI, a non-contrast CT was still the preferred imaging, due to its ability to also differentiate an abscess [10].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While clinically they present with similar symptoms, studies have also shown multiple cases have been misread through imaging [10]. Vollmann et al concluded that although retropharyngeal tendonitis was best seen on MRI, a non-contrast CT was still the preferred imaging, due to its ability to also differentiate an abscess [10]. CT imaging is preferred in distinguishing retropharyngeal tendonitis from abscess because of its ability to show tendon swelling and retropharyngeal calcification at C2-C4 [11].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retropharyngeal Tendonitis: A Cause of Severe Neck Pain

et al. 2016

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This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited AbstractThe clinical presentation of calcific retropharyngeal tendonitis, a rare entity, can mimic more serious disorders. The main stay of diagnosis is CT scan that shows calcification of C1-C2 which is pathognomonic. Here we present a case of a 26-year-old man presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a chief complaint of neck pain that increased in severity. The patient was first diagnosed with torticollis and sent home on painkillers. Further tests were ordered upon his return to the ED complaining of increased neck pain severity and dysphagia. Diagnosis was ultimately made by CT scan and the patient was treated accordingly. When misdiagnosed, patients with retropharyngeal tendonitis can often undergo unnecessary and invasive surgical procedures to drain nonexistent abscesses. With proper imaging, and an informed physician, correct diagnosis can be made based on prevertebral swelling and calcification.

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“…6 The first case reports were described in the 1960s. 6,7 Later, in the 1990s, the calcifications were identified as amorphous hydroxyapatite deposits within the superior tendons of the longus colli. 8,9 Initial testing includes lateral neck radiography; however, visualizing the calcification is difficult.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2,3,6,9 -12 The first line of treatment is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] In severe, painful episodes patients may also benefit from corticosteroids. 2,6 -10 With the right diagnostic imaging and proper treatment, initial improvement may occur within a couple of days.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Rare Case of Neck Pain: Acute Longus Colli Calcific Tendinitis in a Possibly Immunocompromised Individual

Estimable

Rizk

Pujalte

2015

The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine

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We present a rare case of severe neck pain in a 45-year-old man with severe hidradenitis suppurativa who was participating in a study involving adalimumab. The neck pain was associated with acute longus colli calcific tendinitis, which is a noninfectious inflammatory response in the longus colli tendons secondary to deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystal. The diagnosis was made by computed tomography, which showed calcifications and deposits, and magnetic resonance imaging, which showed a retropharyngeal effusion. Ears, Nose, and Throat Services performed a fiberoptic scope examination, which revealed a patent airway and no drainable abscess. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs resulted in a dramatic improvement in the patient's clinical symptoms. In acute longus colli tendinitis, differentiating retropharyngeal aseptic effusion from infection is important. Of note, the confounding factor in this case was that the patient was blinded to whether he was receiving the placebo or adalimumab, so whether the patient was immunosuppressed and at risk for infection was unknown. Clinician familiarity and education concerning acute calcific longus colli tendinitis may lead to decreased costs stemming from incorrect diagnosis and unnecessary treatment.

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Pathways in the diagnosis of prevertebral tendinitis

Cited by 20 publications

References 9 publications

Longus colli tendinitis. A review of literature and case series

Longus colli tendinitis. A review of literature and case series

Retropharyngeal Tendonitis: A Cause of Severe Neck Pain

A Rare Case of Neck Pain: Acute Longus Colli Calcific Tendinitis in a Possibly Immunocompromised Individual

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