Top

European Spine Journal

Published in:

01-05-2013 | Case Report

Acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle: case report and review of the literature

Authors: A. H. Zibis, D. Giannis, K. N. Malizos, P. Kitsioulis, D. L. Arvanitis

Published in: European Spine Journal | Special Issue 3/2013

Abstract

Purpose

Acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle (or retropharyngeal tendinitis) is an aseptic inflammatory process characterized by acute posterior neck pain, neck stiffness and dysphagia or odynophagia. Awareness of its existence is crucial in the differential diagnosis, because many other conditions, such as retropharyngeal abscess, meningitis or disc herniation, show similar clinical features. We present a case exhibiting an uncommon symptom (torticollis) and a brief literature review to emphasize the risk of misdiagnosis.

Methods

A 36-year-old woman presented with neck stiffness and torticollis accompanied by dysphagia and prevertebral space sensitivity on the second day.

Results

The diagnosis was established by computed tomography (CT), the gold standard for identifying the presence of prevertebral oedema and calcific deposition associated with retropharyngeal tendinitis. Treatment with NSAIDs and low doses of corticosteroids relieved the symptoms within 48 h.

Conclusions

Retropharyngeal tendinitis is an underreported entity in the literature and orthopaedists should become aware of its existence. Misdiagnosis of this important mimicker may lead to unnecessary antibiotics administration and interventions in the retropharyngeal space.

Ring D, Vaccaro AR, Scuderi G, Pathria MN, Garfin SR (1994) Acute calcific retropharyngeal tendinitis. Clinical presentation and pathological characterization. J Bone Joint Surg Am 76(11):1636–1642PubMed

Hviid C, Salomonsen M, Gelineck J, Rasmussen LR, Jensen KM, Kryger-Baggesen P, Hartvigsen J (2009) Retropharyngeal tendinitis may be more common than we think: a report on 45 cases seen in Danish chiropractic clinics. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 32(4):315–320PubMedCrossRef

Park R, Halpert DE, Baer A, Kunar D, Holt PA (2009) Retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis: case report and review of the literature. Semin Arthritis Rheum 39(6):504–509 [Epub 2009 Jun 21]

Razon RV, Nasir A, Wu GS, Soliman M, Trilling J (2009) Retropharyngeal calcific tendonitis: report of two cases. J Am Board Fam Med 22(1):84–88PubMedCrossRef

Chung T, Rebello R, Gooden EA (2005) Retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis: case report and review of literature. Emerg Radiol 11(6):375–380 [Epub 2005 Jul 15]PubMedCrossRef

Jiménez S, Millán JM (2007) Calcific retropharyngeal tendinitis: a frequently missed diagnosis: case report. J Neurosurg Spine 6(1):77–80PubMedCrossRef

Offiah CE, Hall E (2009) Acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle: spectrum of CT appearances and anatomical correlation. Br J Radiol 82(978):e117–e121PubMedCrossRef

Harnier S, Kuhn J, Harzheim A, Bewermeyer H, Limmroth V (2008) Retropharyngeal tendinitis: a rare differential diagnosis of severe headaches and neck pain. Headache 48(1):158–161 [Epub 2007 Sep 12]PubMed

Omezzine SJ, Hafsa C, Lahmar I, Driss N, Hamza H (2008) Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli: diagnosis by CT. Joint Bone Spine 75(1):90–91PubMedCrossRef

10.

Bladt O, Vanhoenacker R, Bevernage C, Van Orshoven M, Van Hoe L, D’Haenens P (2008) Acute calcific prevertebral tendinitis. JBR-BTR 91(4):158–159PubMed

11.

Fahlgren H (1986) Retropharyngeal tendinitis. Cephalalgia 6(3):169–174PubMedCrossRef

12.

Sanghvi DA, Jankharia BG, Purandare NC, Sundaram M (2006) Radiologic case study. Acute calcific retropharyngeal tendinitis. Orthopedics 29(7):561, 650–1

13.

Oliva F, Giai Via A, Maffulli N (2012) Physiopathology of intratendinous calcific deposition. BMC Med 10(1):95PubMedCrossRef

14.

Rui YF, Lui PP, Chan LS, Chan KM, Fu SC, Li G (2011) Does erroneous differentiation of tendon-derived stem cells contribute to the pathogenesis of calcifying tendinopathy? Chin Med J (Engl) 124(4):606–610

15.

Uhthoff HK, Loehr JW (1997) Calcific tendinopathy of the rotator cuff: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 5(4):183–191PubMed

Title: Acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle: case report and review of the literature
Authors: A. H. Zibis
D. Giannis
K. N. Malizos
P. Kitsioulis
D. L. Arvanitis
Publication date: 01-05-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Spine Journal / Issue Special Issue 3/2013
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-012-2584-5

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Special Issue 3/2013

Combined ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament at C2–3 and invagination of the posterior axis resulting in Myelopathy

Intradural extramedullary primary hydatid cyst of the spine: a case report and review of literature

Supplement for Case Reports online only 2012

Iliac artery perforation and treatment during lumbar disc surgery by simple balloon tamponade

Unilateral atlantal lateral mass hypertrophy associated with atlanto-occipital fusion

Erratum to: Surgical management of primary spinal hemangiopericytomas: an institutional case series and review of the literature