[Calcific retropharyngeal tendinitis: unusual diagnosis]

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