Dysphagia and cervical bony spurs. A surgical case report and review of the literature

A 74-year-old man had acute complete dysphagia due to esophageal compressio n cause by a degenerative osteophyte on C4-C5. Functional improvement was i mmediate after surgical removal of the osteophyte via an anterior cervical approach. Reports in the literature show that vertebral hypertrophic spurs causing dy sphagia result from bony degeneration or idiopathic causes (diffuse idiopat hic skeletal hyperosteosis: DISH). Surgery is mandatory if medical care fai ls and dysphagia is complete. Discetomy-graft is indicated for degenerative lesions and simple removal of the bony spur for ossification of the anteri or longitudinal ligament in DISH. In DISH, the cervical disc is not implica ted but in degenerative disease it is the most important factor in the deve lopment of osteophytes.