Calcific tendonitis of the longus colli muscle: a cause of atraumatic neck pain.

Retropharyngeal calcific tendonitis is a not-infrequent cause of atraumatic neck pain. Two patients presented with neck pain and stiffness, one with associated dysphagia. Cervical spine radiographs showed calcification anterior to the dens, establishing the diagnosis of calcific tendonitis of the longus colli muscle. Treatment with analgesics and antiinflammatory agents brought relief of symptoms within one week. A review of the literature shows that these patients had courses similar to those in previously reported cases.