Neuro_MR_SkullBase: 34 M, neck pain, retropharyngeal effusion on outside CT.

MRI SKULL BASE WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST:

 

CLINICAL HISTORY: 34-year-old man with neck pain, retropharyngeal effusion on outside CT, evaluate for skull base infection.

 

FINDINGS:

 

Soft tissues: There are rounded T1 and T2 hypointense foci centered within the left longus colli muscle at the level of the atlantodental articulation, most compatible with calcifications, with surrounding inflammatory changes in the left longus coli muscle (series 7 image 11, and series 11 images 1-7). Findings are most compatible with calcific tendinitis of the longus coli muscle. No drainable fluid collection. Remainder of soft tissues are otherwise unremarkable.

 

Bones: No signal abnormality underlying inflammatory changes of the longus colli muscle.

 

Visualized skull base foramina: Normal.

 

Orbits: Normal.

 

Visualized paranasal sinuses: Mucosal thickening versus polyp in the right maxillary sinus.

 

Mastoid air cells: Clear.

 

Brain parenchyma: No acute hemorrhage, infarction, mass, or abnormal enhancement.

 

Ventricles and extra-axial spaces: Appropriate for age.

 

Additional comment: None.

 

IMPRESSION:

 

Findings most compatible with calcific tendinitis of the left longus colli muscle.