Acute prevertebral calcific tendinitis: a nonsurgical cause of prevertebral fluid collection.

Calcific tendinitis of the prevertebral muscles is a rare clinical entity. Its nonspecific presenting symptoms (e.g., retropharyngeal space infection) may mimic an infectious etiology. Treatment is based on the administration of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for 2 to 3 weeks and cessation of symptom-provoking activity. Most patients will improve greatly within the first 48 to 72 hours after the initiation of an NSAID, and complete resolution generally occurs within 3 weeks. We describe a new case of prevertebral calcific tendinitis, and we review the literature on this condition.