Case of the Month: January, 2012, Page 3

Answer: D) Anti-inflammatory medications and supportive care.

Diagnosis: Calcific Tendonitis of the Longus Coli Muscle

General Features

• Etiology: Deposition of hydroxyapatite (HADD) crystals in longuscolli muscle

Presentation

• Most common signs/symptoms
  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Odynophagia
  • Mild leukocytosis and fever
• Clinical profile:
  • Patient with sudden onset of neck pain and stiffness

Demographics

• Age: Middle-aged and older patients

Natural History &Prognosis

• Resolves in 1-2 weeks

Treatment:

• Nonsteroidalanti-inflammatory medications

References:    

• Evan Wasserman, MD, Alan Richman, MD, NamikErdag, MD, and Rob Weiss, MD:  Acute CalcificPrevertebral Tendonitis of the LongusColli Muscle. Emedicine.com.