Retropharyngeal tendinitis. Differential diagnosis in the management of acute neck pain

Neck pain is frequent and can be a symptom of numerous differential diagnoses with quite different diagnostic and therapeutic consequences. A 37-year-old woman reported acute neck pain aggravated by movements of the cervical spine and head and by swallowing. Clinical examination showed pronounced ne...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nervenarzt 2006-08, Vol.77 (8), p.952-957
Main Authors: Heckmann, J G, Tröscher-Weber, R, Pawlowski, M, Seifert, F, Lang, C J G, Dörfler, A, Schwab, S
Format: Article
Language:ger
Subjects:
Acute Disease
Adult
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - administration & dosage
Calcinosis - complications
Calcinosis - diagnosis
Calcinosis - drug therapy
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Humans
Neck Pain - diagnosis
Neck Pain - etiology
Neck Pain - prevention & control
Pharyngeal Diseases - complications
Pharyngeal Diseases - diagnosis
Pharyngeal Diseases - drug therapy
Tendinopathy
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Neck pain is frequent and can be a symptom of numerous differential diagnoses with quite different diagnostic and therapeutic consequences. A 37-year-old woman reported acute neck pain aggravated by movements of the cervical spine and head and by swallowing. Clinical examination showed pronounced neck stiffness. T2-weighted MRI demonstrated high-intensity edema and effusion localized prevertebrally in the area of the superior part of the longus colli muscle. Computed tomography of this region demonstrated prevertebral calcification leading to the diagnosis of retropharyngeal tendinitis. Nonsteroidal antiphlogistic drugs led to rapid improvement of clinical signs and symptoms. Retropharyngeal tendinitis should be considered in patients with acute neck pain.
ISSN:0028-2804
DOI:10.1007/s00115-006-2124-9