Acute calcific retropharyngeal tendinitis: an unusual cause of neck pain

✍ Scribed by Jeff Sarkozi; Adel G. Fam

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1984
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 243 KB
• Volume: 27
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0004-3591
• DOI: 10.1002/art.1780270618

✦ Synopsis

Acute calcific retropharyngcal tendinitis is a rare form of calcific periarthritis characterized by acute pain and stiffness in the upper neck associated with a transient calcific deposit in the tendon of the longus colli muscle (1-10). The condition has recently received attention in radiology and otolaryngology publications but, to our knowledge, no reports of the subject exist in the rheumatology literature.

We present our experience with I patient to highlight the clinical and radiographic features of this little-known, self-limiting disorder.

Case report. A 42-year-old man came to the emergency room in August 1983, with pain and stiffness of the neck of 2 days' duration. The pain was predominantly in the upper cervical region with radiation over the occiput. There was no history of recent illness or trauma. Results of physical examination were normal, except for painful restriction of neck movements and tenderness over the upper cervical spine. Cervical spine radiographs were reported as "negative." A diagnosis of muscle spasm was made, and he was sent home with a collar and analgesic medication.

Over the next 2 days, the neck pain became more intense, and he was admitted to the hospital. He was unable to move his head without severe pain, and he complained of pain in the throat upon swallowing.