Abstract
Retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis/ retropharyngeal tendinitis rarely occurs, and it is therefore difficult to distinguish from a retropharyngeal abscess. We herein describe a rare case of retropharyngeal tendinitis. A 14-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of a high fever. The pharyngo-laryngeal examination showed a swelling of the retropharyngeal submucosa. Neither tonsillitis nor laryngitis was observed. A neck examination revealed multiple cervical lymphadenopathy, neck stiffness and severe cervical pain. A neck axial contrast-enhanced CT scan demonstrated a low-density lesion with a slightly enhanced rim in the right parapharyngeal space and a low attenuation lesion in the prevertebral position anterior to Cl and C2. The retropharyngeal tendon showed an increased signal intensity on T2w MR imaging. The patient underwent approptiate treatment with antibiotics and steroids. Thereafter, the patient's condition improved and she showed no evidence of recurrence more than two years later. MR imaging is therefore considered to be necessary to accurately diagnose Retropharyngeal tendinitis.
