Acute prevertebral calcific tendinitis: a source of non-surgical acute cervical pain.

Background: Prevertebral calcific tendinitis results from calcium hydroxyapatite crystal deposits in the longus colli muscles, which induce symptoms similar to some surgically-treated conditions, such as retropharyngeal abscesses. Imaging techniques are critical for accurate diagnosis.

Purpose: To describe the computed tomography (CT) findings associated with prevertebral calcific tendinitis.