Calcific retropharyngeal tendinitis: a rare diagnosis

Acute calcific retropharyngeal tendinitis is a rare entity that often is in itially misdiagnosed a retropharyngeal abscess and treated with IV administ ration of antibiotics. In our 2 cases, imaging enabled a correct diagnosis to be made. Two patients were admitted to the hospital with dysphagia, seve re neck discomfort and fever. Lateral radiographs of the cervical spine and CT were obtained in both cases, while MRI was obtained in one case. Calcif ication of the prevertebral muscles was demonstrated by CT in both cases, a nd detected on lateral radiographs in only one case. Soft tissue swelling w as noted at CT and MRI. A clinical diagnosis of calcific retropharyngeal tendinitis may be difficul t to achieve and a definitive diagnosis can be confirmed at imaging studies .