Pre-vertebral soft tissue

The pre-vertebral soft tissue thickness is increased in children. A pre-vertebral space of less than 6 mm at C3 level is normal. Widening of the pre-vertebral space can be seen in expiration and in crying. A repeat radiograph in extension and inspiration would help to exclude this. The pre-vertebral space is unreliable in isolated posterior injuries to the spine. 

A 52-year-old woman took enalaprU for 1 week and developed a foreign body sensation in her throat. There was no evidence of angioedema of the lips or oropharynx, but a CT scan showed anterior pre-vertebral soft tissue edema and esophageal edema. 

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