Abstract
Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli is a disorder that manifests with acute-onset pain on swallowing and neck pain, as well as a limited range of motion of the neck as compensation for this pain, and is thought to be caused by inflammation resulting from hydroxyapatite deposition in the longus colli tendon. Due to its symptoms and the presence of prevertebral soft tissue swelling in the retropharyngeal region on diagnostic imaging, diagnosis of this disorder requires differentiation from retropharyngeal abscess and is often difficult. We encountered three cases of calcific tendinitis of the longus colli. In each case, a retropharyngeal abscess was initially suspected based on the symptoms, however, a definitive diagnosis of calcific tendinitis of the longus colli was made after characteristic calcifications were observed near the anterior tubercle of the atlas on lateral-view X-rays and contrast-enhanced computed tomographic images of the neck. The patients were treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, and recovered with the conservative treatment. Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli differs from retropharyngeal abscess both in terms of the treatment strategy and the prognosis; therefore, it is necessary to differentiate between the two at an early stage.
