Periarticular calcific tendinopathy has been well described, but no retropharyngeal locations have been reported in the surgical orthopedic literature. This pathology is a diagnostic pitfall, leading to fruitless invasive examinations and treatment. The clinical aspect is misleading, but pathognomic imaging can establish diagnosis. We report a case of febrile postoperative cervicalgia, initially suggestive of a septic complication, but in which imaging indicated retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis.
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