Incidence of Retropharyngeal Calcific Tendinitis (Longus Colli Tendinitis) in the General Population

Acute retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis, also called calcium hydroxylapatite deposition disease, is a little known entity that causes pain and neck stiffness associated with odynophagia. Radiographically, it manifested with calcium deposits and an edematization of retropharyngeal soft tissues. Retropharyngeal impacting typically occurs to the long neck muscle tendon insertion or longus colli, although it is rarely described, in the literature. We present a clinical case treated in the Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery of Hospital Clinico Universitario of Santiago de Compostela (La Coruna, Spain), discussing the clinical-radiological characteristics and treatment according to the little existing literature on the subject. After the analysis of the data obtained from the review of this case, we can conclude that the most important element for the diagnosis of this entity is the knowledge of its existence and recognition of its characteristics in plain X-ray and CT. It is self-limited and her treatment consists of anti-inflammatory agents, non-steroidal and neck brace immobilization.

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“…Oropharyngeal in these patients is completely normal inspection and odynophagia pertaining to patients is typically lateralized [10][11][12][13].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It typically occurs at the top level of C1-C2. The deposit of hydroxyapatite in the sinewy muscle insertion may result in symptomatic tendinitis which is often diagnosed accidentally, since it has an atypical clinic neck pain associated with swallowing pain [4,7,[9][10][11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acute Retropharyngeal Calcific Tendinitis or Calcium Hydroxyapatite Deposits in Longus Colli Muscle

2017

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“…The first from Danish Chiropractors Hviid et al attempted to retrospectively determine the number of cases, of which they found 45 from 1989 to 2006 [5]. Although the study admits to several shortcomings causing them not to find a true prevalence, Horowitz et al [9] through a more systematic approach found eight new cases over a 3-year period compared to only one documented retropharyngeal abscess. They calculated the incidence of retropharyngeal tendonitis to be 0.50 cases per 100,000 persons-year, challenging whether this was indeed as rare as previously thought [9].…”

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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“…Given its propensity to present that way, calcific tendinitis of the longus colli should be recognized when characteristic features are present. This condition is a rare, but probably underrecognized [1] form of calcium hydroxyapatite deposition disease [2]. The entity was first described by Hartley in 1964 [3] and later proven histologically to be due to calcium hydroxyapatite by Ring and his colleagues in 1994 [4].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The incidence of calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle is unknown. It is estimated by some to be around 0.5 per 100,000 persons per year [1], but is probably underestimated because it is a little known self-limiting entity. As in the other forms of calcium hydroxyapatite deposition disease [2], its cause is incompletely understood.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Unusual Cause of Neck Pain: Acute Calcific Tendinitis of the Longus Colli

Rodrigue

2014

J Med Cases

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Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle is a rare, but probably underrecognized form of calcium hydroxyapatite deposition disease. Patients present with severe neck pain, neck stiffness, odynophagia and mildly elevated inflammatory markers. This self-limited condition can easily mimic other serious diseases, such as retropharyngeal abscess, meningitis, infectious spondylodiscitis or cervical fracture. It is therefore important to promptly recognize this benign disease to avoid unnecessary and invasive tests and procedures. We present the case of a 34-year-old woman who developed acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli following a tick bite to the neck.

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Incidence of Retropharyngeal Calcific Tendinitis (Longus Colli Tendinitis) in the General Population

Abstract: Retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis is not a rare disease and is probably underdiagnosed because symptoms are nonspecific, treating physicians are often unfamiliar with this entity, and it is a self-limiting pathology.

Cited by 53 publications

References 16 publications

Acute Retropharyngeal Calcific Tendinitis or Calcium Hydroxyapatite Deposits in Longus Colli Muscle

Acute Retropharyngeal Calcific Tendinitis or Calcium Hydroxyapatite Deposits in Longus Colli Muscle

Retropharyngeal Tendonitis: A Cause of Severe Neck Pain

An Unusual Cause of Neck Pain: Acute Calcific Tendinitis of the Longus Colli

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