[Neck pain due to tendonitis of the longus colli muscle].

Two patients presented to Accidents and Emergency with severe neck pain: a 70-year-old woman with acute, severe neck pain, which had developed a few days after outpatient resection of her left lingual tonsil. The patient was suspected to have spondylodiscitis. The other patient, a 54-year-old woman, was referred with severe neck pain and suspected meningitis. In both women, the pain was diagnosed as acute calcifying tendonitis of the longus colli muscle. This benign condition can present to many different specialities. Both patients responded well to treatment with NSAIDs. Acute calcifying tendonitis of the longus colli muscle can be diagnosed using various imaging techniques, such as X-ray, CT or MRI imaging. Calcification on cervical CT or a high signal on T2-weighted MRI images of the longus colli muscle are pathognomonic of tendonitis. A correct diagnosis can prevent further invasive diagnostics and/or unnecessary treatment.