Levator claviculae muscle presenting as a neck mass: CT imaging

Area of Science:

• Anatomical variations and diagnostic imaging.
• Radiology and medical imaging interpretation.
• Clinical presentation of cervical masses.

Background:

• Cervical space masses can present with diverse clinical and imaging features.
• Accurate diagnosis of posterior cervical masses is essential for appropriate patient management.
• Computed Tomography (CT) is a primary imaging modality for evaluating neck masses.

Observation:

• A patient presented with a posterior cervical space mass.
• CT imaging revealed an abnormality in the posterior cervical region.
• The identified abnormality corresponded to a variant muscle, the levator claviculae.

Findings:

• The levator claviculae muscle, a rare anatomical variant, was identified as the cause of the apparent mass.
• No other pathological abnormalities were detected on CT.
• The imaging features of the levator claviculae can be mistaken for a true pathologic lesion.

Implications:

• Radiologists must be aware of the levator claviculae variant to avoid misinterpreting it as a disease.
• Recognition of this anatomical variation can prevent unnecessary investigations and patient anxiety.
• Understanding common anatomical variations improves diagnostic accuracy in cervical imaging.