RETROPHARYNGEAL CALCIFIC TENDINITIS IN THE NEUROLOGICAL EMERGENCY UNIT, REPORT OF THREE CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Authors

  • Tatjana Filipović PhD, MD
  • Jernej Avsenik

Abstract

ABSTRACT: 

INTRODUCTION: Retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis (RCT) is a relatively benign condition of calcination of the longus colli muscle tendon of unknown origin, which causes severe acute neck pain. However, it is often not recognised, which leads to delayed diagnosis and unnecessary treatment.

METHODS: We have searched PubMed and Google Scholar for publications which reported at least one patient with RCT and were published in the last 20 years. The literature was then analysed according to the PRISMA-S protocol. We also report three patients with RCT presenting at the Neurological Emergency Unit, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 1 January 2020 to 1 June 2022. We discuss their clinical presentation and differential diagnosis, explain our decision-making process, and briefly describe the clinical course. Case reports have been performed according to the CARE protocol.

RESULTS: We have analysed a total of 112 titles with 231 patients. The most frequent symptoms and signs were: neck pain, neck stiffness and odynophagia, as was the case in our reported cases.

DISCUSION: We have integrated data from the literature and our own cases to present the main clinical findings as well as the differential diagnosis based on clinical and radiological findings.

CONCLUSION: RCT is a dramatic yet self-limiting condition, often not recognised in time. An effort should be made to increase neurologists’ awareness about this condition.

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Published

2023-11-27

How to Cite

Filipović, T., & Avsenik, J. (2023). RETROPHARYNGEAL CALCIFIC TENDINITIS IN THE NEUROLOGICAL EMERGENCY UNIT, REPORT OF THREE CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. Radiology and Oncology, 57(4), 430–435. Retrieved from https://radioloncol.com/index.php/ro/article/view/4144

Issue

Section

Review