A case of calcific tendinitis of the longus colli tendon

Abstract

There have been 14 case reports of calcific tendinitis of the longus colli tendon in Japan. All were conservatively treated, and on cases of surgical treatment have been reported. We report a case of calcific tendinitis of the longus colli tendon in which the calcified lesion was surgically removed. A 63-year-old female was referred to our department because of odynophagia. The results of the physical examination, plain radiography of the neck, CT, and blood examination suggested calcific tendinitis of the longus colli tendon. Her odynophagia persisted during a 3-month observation period, and the calcified lesion was surgically removed at her request. The composition of the surgical specimen was 84% calcium carbonate and 16% calcium phosphate. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the odynophagia completely resolved.