Retropharyngeal tendinitis

A rare clinical syndrome, with acute onset of severe pains localized in the back of the neck and aggravated by head movements and swallowing, has been studied in 28 patients. X-ray examinations of the cervical spine and prevertebral soft tissues in straight lateral projection of all patients in the acute phase showed significant soft-tissue swelling anterior to the vertebral bodies of C1-C4. Eighteen patients had an amorphous calcific deposit below the tuberculum anterius atlantis in or near the mid-line. The clinical symptoms were characteristic, with a benign course and freedom from complaints and regression of the radiological changes after 1-2 weeks. The diagnosis was usually made clinically and confirmed after two or more X-ray examinations of the cervical spine and the prevertebral soft tissues. The disease was in all probability caused by acute tendinitis in the longus colli musculus.     

Retropharyngeal tendinitis: Three probable cases with an unusually low epicentre

Retropharyngeal tendinitis is a rare but underdiagnosed disorder. The clinical picture is characterized by increasingly severe pain in the upper neck occurring within 1 or 2 days and with pain aggravated by swallowing and head movements. Acute-phase roentgenograms show substantial soft-tissue swelling anterior to the vertebral bodies, C1 to C4, often accompanied by amorphous calciferous deposition below the anterior tubercle of the atlas. The course is benign, the patient being asymptomatic after 1 or 2 weeks. I briefly describe three cases which were characterized by severe pain in the mid-cervical spine and radiologic findings of soft-tissue swelling anterior to the vertebral bodies, C2-C6. These cases were probably due to acute tendinitis of the longus colli muscle, although located at a lower level than in previously reported cases of retropharyngeal tendinitis.     

Retropharyngeal tendinitis: a rare differential diagnosis of severe headaches and neck pain

Retropharyngeal tendinitis is a rare cause of intense neck pain and occipital headache. It is caused by an aseptic inflammatory process in the longus colli tendon, triggered by deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystal. Clinically, it can be misdiagnosed as retropharyngeal abscess, traumatic injury, infectious spondylitis, cervical artery dissection, or even meningitis. The diagnosis is made radiographically by a nearly pathognomonic amorphous calcification anterior to C1-C2 and prevertebral soft tissue swelling. We present a new case of this uncommon condition exhibiting some unusual features.     

Sudden asphyxia caused by retropharyngeal hematoma after blunt thyrocervical artery injury

Background

Retropharyngeal hematomas are often associated with blunt cervical spine injury. Generally, they improve with conservative treatment; however, rarely, airway obstruction occurs due to delayed swelling of retropharyngeal hematoma.

Objectives

To report a case of sudden asphyxia due to retropharyngeal hematoma caused by blunt thyrocervical artery injury.

Case Report

A 30-year-old woman was admitted to the Emergency Department of Tokai University Hospital 4 h after injury in a motor vehicle collision. On arrival, she had severe dyspnea and neck swelling; thereafter, a 26-mm-thick retropharyngeal swelling was visualized on lateral cervical plain X-ray study, extending from C1 anterior vertebrae to mediastinum. Emergency intubation was performed for the asphyxia. Because extravasation of contrast agent was observed in the hematoma on emergency contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan, emergency angiography was performed, from which we diagnosed a hemorrhage from the right thyrocervical artery.

Conclusion

If a patient with a non-displaced cervical spine injury suffers airway obstruction due to retropharyngeal hematoma, vigorous hemorrhage from a thyrocervical artery injury should be considered as the cause, and emergency contrast-enhanced CT scan of the neck should be performed after emergent tracheal intubation.     

Retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis: report of five cases and review of the literature

Retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis is an inflammation of the longus colli muscle tendon, which is located on the anterior surface of the vertebral column extending from the atlas to the third thoracic vertebra. Five cases of acute retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis seen in the emergency department (ED) over a 15-month period are reported. In addition, a retrospective review of four cases diagnosed as retropharyngeal abscess and admitted to the hospital revealed that two of these cases actually represented retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis. A review of the literature and potential differential diagnoses are presented. For those primary care physicians who must evaluate patients with acute cervical pain, sore throat, or odynophagia, an x-ray study of the neck revealing retropharyngeal calcium deposition should raise the question of the diagnosis of acute retropharyngeal tendinitis. Clinical characteristics of this entity include a painful condition which is treatable and is often mistaken for retropharyngeal abscess, pharyngitis, or peritonsillar abscess. In our opinion, this condition may be more prevalent than the literature suggests.     

Sensitivity of prevertebral soft tissue measurement at C3 for detection of cervical spine fractures and dislocations

A prevertebral soft tissue measurement exceeding 4 to 5 mm at C3 on a lateral spine radiograph is considered to be evidence of cervical spine injury. The objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of the prevertebral soft tissue measurement at C3 in patients with proven cervical spine fractures or dislocations and to determine if this measurement correlates with the location or mechanism of injury. Consecutive patients 16 years of age or older who were admitted from July 1988 to June 1995 to a tertiary referral hospital with a discharge diagnosis of cervical spine fracture or dislocation were retrospectively studied. Patients were excluded if an interpretable lateral cervical radiograph taken within 24 hours of the injury was unavailable, medical records were unavailable or incomplete, the injury was caused by penetrating trauma or attempted hanging, or retropharyngeal air was present on the lateral radiograph. For each study patient, the earliest available lateral radiograph was obtained, and the prevertebral soft tissue measurement at the inferior aspect of C3 was recorded. All medical records and reports of imaging studies were reviewed. Two hundred thirty-two patients were identified and 21 were excluded, leaving 212 study patients. Injuries were classified as high (C1 to C2), low (C3 to C7), anterior, or posterior. For each patient the mechanism of injury was inferred from the fracture pattern according to established criteria. For all patients the sensitivity of a prevertebral soft tissue measurement at C3 of >4 mm was 66% (95% confidence interval [CI] 59,72). For C1 to C2 (n = 71) and C3 to C7 (n = 138) injuries, the sensitivities were 68% (95% CI 56,78) and 64% (95% CI 56,72), respectively. For anterior (n = 95) and posterior (n = 70) injuries the sensitivities were 64% (95% CI 54,74) and 64% (95% CI 52,75), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevertebral soft tissue measurement at C3 for high versus low injury, anterior versus posterior injury, or mechanism of injury. These results show that the prevertebral soft tissue measurement at C3 is an insensitive marker of cervical spine fracture or dislocation and does not correlate with the location or mechanism of injury.     

Can interventional MRI provide an insight into the mechanics of a posterior–anterior mobilisation?

Objectives. A pilot study aimed to investigate if interventional MRI could detect changes in the spine and surrounding soft tissues as a result of a posteroanterior mobilisation, and to determine if such an effect was specific to the level of application.

Design. A prospective pilot study to investigate the kinematics of cervical spine mobilisation.

Background. Posteroanterior mobilisation is a manual physiotherapy technique that is commonly used as an examination tool and a form of conservative treatment. The efficacy of this technique is controversial and little is known regarding the underlying mechanisms.

Methods. Five control subjects were recruited and written informed consent obtained. Subjects were scanned, using a General Electric Signa SP10 Open Interventional MRI scanner, in the prone position with their necks in either a neutral or flexed position. In each position a posteroanterior mobilisation to the 2nd and 6th cervical vertebrae was performed. Sagittal images of the spine were obtained prior to, during and following the mobilisation.

Results. Clear images of vertebral position could be obtained during the application of a posteroanterior mobilisation. Measurements of intervertebral angulation and translation demonstrated little if any motion during the application of a posteroanterior mobilisation, in both a flexed and neutral position. Changes were seen in terms of soft tissue compression and in some instances overall angulation of the cervical spine.

Conclusions. Interventional MRI can produce images of posteroanterior mobilisation. Dynamic imaging of the procedure produced images of unsuitable quality for analysis. The quasi-static images of suggested that the application of a posteroanterior mobilisation to the cervical spine produces minimal if any intervertebral motion, but significant soft tissue deformation of the overlying structures.Relevance statement

Posteroanterior mobilisation is frequently used in the assessment and management of spinal problems, but the efficacy of the technique remains controversial. This is hampered by the fact that little is known about the mechanisms involved during such a procedure.     

Thyroid hormone concentrations and inhibition of thyroid stimulating hormone secretion in euthyroid subjects with autonomous thyroid nodules

Abstract. Sixty-four euthyroid patients with autonomous thyroid nodules and normal thyroxine (T₄) concentrations and tri-iodothyronine resin uptake have been studied. The serum tri-iodothyronine (T₃) concentration of the patients was 2.24 (±0.67) ng/ml, significantly higher than in a group of fifty-seven euthyroid control subjects (1.58 ± 0.30 ng/ml). When no extranodular tissue was visible on the basal thyroid scan, the T₃ was 2.31 (±0.63) ng/ml, significantly higher than in patients with some extranodular uptake on the basal scan (1.91 ± 0.42 ng/ml). There was no significant difference in the serum T₄ concentrations of the patients (7.37 ± 2.10 μg/100 ml) compared to the control group (6.88 ± 1.89 μg/100 ml). The T₄ concentrations were not correlated with total or partial inhibition of the extranodular tissue. The thyroid hormone concentrations were not directly correlated to the size of the nodule assessed by scan imaging. The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration of the patients (1.52 ± 0.38 μU/ml) was significantly lower than in normals (2.49 ± 0.96 μU/ml). No significant difference was found in the TSH concentrations of patients with partial or total inhibition of extranodular tissue irrespective of the T₃ concentration. A thyrotrophin releasing hormone stimulation test in twelve patients did not increase the serum TSH, irrespectively of the T₃ concentration.
These data show the high frequency of elevated serum T₃ concentrations despite normal serum T₄ concentration in euthyroid patients with autonomous thyroid nodules. They confirm that inhibition of TSH secretion can occur when thyroid hormone concentrations are in the normal range.     

Clinical algorithm for preventing missed diagnoses of occult cervical spine instability after acute trauma: A case report

BACKGROUNDMissed or delayed diagnosis of cervical spine instability after acute trauma can have catastrophic consequences for the patient, resulting in severe neurological impairment. Currently, however, there is no consensus on the optimal strategy for diagnosing occult cervical spine instability. Thus, we present a case of occult cervical spine instability and provide a clinical algorithm to aid physicians in diagnosing occult instability of the cervical spine.CASE SUMMARYA 57-year-old man presented with cervical spine pain and inability to stand following a serious fall from a height of 2 m. No obvious vertebral fracture or dislocation was found at the time on standard lateral X-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Subsequently, the initial surgical plan was unilateral open-door laminoplasty (C3-7) with alternative levels of centerpiece mini-plate fixation (C3, 5, and 7). However, the intraoperative C-arm fluoroscopic X-rays revealed significantly increased intervertebral space at C5-6, indicating instability at this level that was previously unrecognized on preoperative imaging. We finally performed lateral mass fixation and fusion at the C5-6 level. Looking back at the preoperative images, we found that the preoperative T2 MRI showed non-obvious high signal intensity at the C5-6 intervertebral disc and posterior interspinous ligament.CONCLUSIONMRI of cervical spine trauma patients should be carefully reviewed to detect disco-ligamentous injury, which will lead to further cervical spine instability. In patients with highly suspected cervical spine instability indicated on MRI, lateral X-ray under traction or after anesthesia and muscle relaxation needs to be performed to avoid missed diagnoses of occult cervical instability.     

Clinical outcomes of magnetic resonance imaging in blunt cervical trauma

Objectives: To determine whether MRI of the cervical spine resulted in a change in management of patients with blunt trauma and normal plain X‐ray (XR)/CT of the cervical spine. Methods: An explicit chart review was conducted of patients seen at a Level 1 trauma centre over a 1 year period. Clinical details were extracted from the charts of patients with blunt trauma who had a normal plain XR and CT scan of the cervical spine and who underwent cervical spine MRI. A comparison of clinical details was made between those with a normal/abnormal MRI secondary to the acute injury. Results: One hundred and thirty‐four patients met entry criteria. Discharge non‐operative management of the cervical spine was associated with a change in management by the MRI result (P < 0.0001) where MRI of the cervical spine occurred a median of 3 days (interquartile range 0–4.5, range 0–137) after the injury. The MRI occurred before discharge 90% of the time in both groups. Operative management occurred in three patients and was delayed until after first outpatient review in two patients. Conclusions: An abnormal MRI after normal plain XR and CT cervical spine studies resulted in a change in non‐operative management at discharge. Early MRI resulted in one patient receiving surgery before discharge. No unstable injuries were detected by MRI that were not evident on plain XR or CT cervical spine.     

颈椎单侧关节突交锁脱位的软组织损伤及其相关因素

目的研究颈椎单侧关节突交锁的软组织损伤、旋转角度、椎体脱位程度及其相关性。方法 4具C1-T1段40g/L甲醛浸泡成人颈椎标本,破坏C4-5双侧关节囊前侧、内侧部分。用自制夹具,分别在侧屈旋转、前屈旋转下模拟颈椎单侧关节突交锁,并部分模拟肌肉收缩。结果前屈旋转比侧屈旋转对软组织损伤大;单侧关节突交锁平均旋转角度为19.75°,椎体脱位均为Ⅰ度脱位。结论 屈曲旋转的复合暴力是颈椎单侧关节突交锁的力学机制,关节囊的破坏是成功建立模型的关键,交锁侧黄韧带、1/2以上纤维环的破坏是必须的,棘上、棘间韧带的阻力较小,软组织的损伤程度和椎体的旋转角度无关,与椎体的脱位程度相关。     

Charcot关节病的影像学表现

目的分析Charcot关节病的X线、CT和MRI的影像学特征。方法搜集经临床或病理证实的Charcot关节病患者9例,分析各个受累关节的影像学表现。结果X线及CT表现：软组织肿胀9例,骨质吸收5例,骨质增生硬化7例,骨膜反应7例,关节内及关节周围骨化或钙化9例,关节脱位或半脱位4例;MRI表现：软组织肿胀、关节囊内水肿2例,骨髓水肿1例,近端骨质损伤1例;钆喷替酸葡甲胺增强扫描,肥厚关节囊及肿胀的软组织呈明显不均匀强化。1例骨显像呈团块状放射性浓聚。结论X线是诊断Charcot关节病的首选方法,CT、MRI及核素检查是X线的重要补充。     

Retropharyngeal calcific tendonitis.

Calcific tendonitis of the longus colli muscle is an uncommon cause of sudden onset of neck pain. Differential diagnosis should include retropharyngeal abscess, traumatic injury or even meningitis. Diagnosis can be made radiographically with plain radiograph which reveals an amorphous calcification anteriorly to C1-C2 and severe swelling of the prevertebral soft tissue. Treatment of choice is conservative and consists of administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Clinically the complaints disappear after 1-2 weeks. Follow-up radiographs are, in fact, unnecessary but demonstrate complete resolution of the calcific density and normalization of the prevertebral swelling.     

Prevertebral soft tissue changes in cervical spine injury

Primary radiological diagnostics of cervical spine injuries is difficult. It can be improved by making observations on the signs which indicate a fracture, such as alterations in prevertebral soft tissue structures. Several authors have given different suggestions for normal values of prevertebral soft tissue width. It is influenced by the level of the measurement, the posture of the spine, and the patient's age. The soft tissue changes have been stated to often occur with injuries of the anterior parts of the cervical spine, but also with severe injuries in the upper and posterior parts. However, different authors have reported considerably varying figures of incidence of prevertebral soft tissue widening. The article will deal with these matters; it will be based on a material of 165 patients with cervical spine injury, a series of 70 noninjury patients, and the flexion-extension radiograms of the latter group.     

平山病颈椎侧位X线及过屈位MRI表现

目的：研究平山病在颈椎过屈位MRI及颈椎X线侧位片的影像学表现。方法：对23例平山病患者和12例健康志愿者进行过屈位MRI扫描,18例平山病患者颈椎侧位X线片,总结影像学特点。结果：①病例组相邻两椎体后缘角度总体比较有差异,AC5－6最大。②病例组23例（100％）均出现低位颈髓的萎缩。③病例组23例（100％）出现低位脊髓变扁。④脊髓受累分布,C6 23例,C5 18例,C7 11例,C4 1例。⑤C6水平颈髓前后径与对照组相比明显变窄。⑥病例组14例（61％）出现低位颈椎椎管内硬膜后方T2WI异常信号。⑦颈椎曲度变直8例（44％）,反弓7例（39％）,前凸3例（17％）。结论：颈椎过屈位MRI对诊断平山病有重要意义,颈椎侧位X线曲度异常对平山病有辅助诊断价值。     

Congenital absence of the C1 vertebral arch

Congenital absence of part of the anterior arch of the atlas, a rare disorder, was observed in two patients. The defect in the C1 cervical vertebrae, caused by congenital nonfusion of the arch of C1, may be confused with a cervical spinal fracture on plain radiographs of the cervical spine. The diagnosis is established by characteristic radiological changes, especially in the CT scan and bone scan. Because congenital anomalies of the cervical spine may predispose to instability of the cervical spine and can be confused with traumatic lesions, thorough evaluation is warranted. Treatment should be based on signs of instability, if present.     

急性咽后壁脓肿的CT表现

目的 探讨CT对急性咽后壁脓肿的诊断价值.方法 回顾性分析18例急性咽后壁脓肿患者CT资料.结果 CT清楚显示所有患者病变部位及累及范围.18例CT均表现为咽后壁软组织肿胀增厚,其中8例CT平扫示咽后壁梭形或类圆形低密度区,3例示宽大气-液平面,4例示咽后壁病变处异物,2例见咽后间隙积气,4例合并纵隔脓肿,2例存在食管瘘,5例CT增强扫描示咽后壁病变环形强化.结论 CT能准确评价急性咽后壁脓肿,应作为首选影像检查方法 .     

Pre-cervical soft tissues: a cautionary note.

Visualization of pre-cervical soft tissue swelling on a lateral radiograph is an important indicator of possible bony injury in the context of cervical spine trauma. We report a case where apparent swelling was in fact an artefact due to an inappropriately placed endotracheal tube. We recommend review of the position of endotracheal tubes when interpreting pre-cervical soft tissue swelling.     

3D-STIR磁共振序列诊断神经根型颈椎病的临床价值

目的 探讨三维反转恢复快速自旋回波（3D-STIR）序列在显示颈部节前神经根受压情况,以及颈椎间盘突出与颈部神经根关系的临床应用价值,并评估该技术在不同节段（C6神经根及C7神经根）的诊断价值。方法 收集2021年9月～2022年3月于牡丹江医学院附属红旗医院就诊的有颈部疼痛、上肢麻木等有神经根受压症状并且临床高度怀疑神经根型颈椎病的100例患者,分别行磁共振常规序列（矢状位T2WI、T1WI、STIR,轴位T2WI）、3D-STIR序列扫描以及结合两种扫描方式判断神经根是否受压,分别统计C5～7单侧单节段神经根传导功能障碍的患者有无神经根受压的影像学表现。3D-STIR序列所有图像采用3D最大信号强调投影与曲面重组等后处理,由2名中高级职称磁共振诊断医师通过对重建后图像显示的神经根形态、走行、受压情况以及椎间盘与神经根关系的影像表现,评价3D-STIR序列在诊断神经根型颈椎病的临床应用价值。结果 按C6/C7神经根是否受压分为两组,常规核磁平扫、3D-STIR序列以及常规核磁平扫与3D-STIR序列结合诊断结果显示,按C6神经根是否受压,得出一致性分别为0.578、0.758、0.8...     

坐骨耻骨结合处骨软骨病（Van Neck病）临床及影像学表现并文献回顾

目的 结合文献回顾观察坐骨耻骨结合处骨软骨病[Van Neck病(VND)]临床及影像学表现。方法 纳入12例VND患儿，回顾相关文献选出另12例资料完整的VND患儿，综合分析其临床特点及影像学征象。结果 24例VND中，男21例、女3例，年龄4～14岁；均为单侧病变，左侧16例、右侧8例；其中10例诉患侧腹股沟区疼痛，8例患侧髋关节疼痛，5例臀部疼痛，1例患侧下肢痛伴活动受限。X线片和平扫CT见患侧坐骨耻骨结合处局限性膨隆，其内骨质密度不均并可见低密度区，病灶边缘不规则伴硬化；MRI均见患侧坐骨耻骨结合处呈T1WI低信号、T2WI和T2脂肪抑制序列高信号(17/17,100%),10例(10/17,58.82%)坐骨耻骨结合处梭形肿胀，7例(7/17,41.18%)病灶边缘不规则，10例(10/17,58.82%)周围软组织水肿，8例(8/17,47.06%)可见“纤维桥接”表现。结论 VND见于儿童，临床表现为单侧腹股沟区疼痛、髋关节疼痛或臀区疼痛；MRI均见坐骨耻骨结合处信号改变，近半数边缘不规则、可见“纤维桥接”,半数以上局部可见梭形肿胀及邻近软组织信号改变。X线和CT平扫可用...