Acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle

Acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli (CTCL) is a rare, self-limited and probably under diagnosed cause of acute neck pain in which the radiologist can make a definitive diagnosis. It commonly mimics potentially serious conditions affecting the retropharyngeal space. We report a case of a 63-year old male presenting in the emergency department with acute throat pain. Imaging findings were diagnostic of CTCL. A brief review of the literature is provided.