Diagnosis: Calcific prevertebral tendinitis (also known as calcific retropharyngeal tendinitis and calcific tendinitis of the longus colli)
Calcific prevertebral tendinitis is a self-limiting inflammatory condition. It was originally described by Hartley1 in 1964. Ring et al2 clarified the pathogenesis in 1994; they demonstrated deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals in the superior oblique tendon fibers of the longus colli muscle. A review of the literature revealed fewer than 80 cases, with a wide age range (21-80 years).