POSTTRAUMATIC CERVICAL OSTEOPHYTOSIS CAUSING PROGRESSIVE DYSPHAGIA

Dysphagia is a commonly encountered patient complaint. The differentia l diagnosis for dysphagia is extensive, One long-recognized etiology o f dysphagia is cervical osteophytosis. Degenerative joint disease, ank ylosing spondylosis, and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DIS H) can all cause cervical osteophyte formation. We describe a patient with dysphagia and a large cervical osteophyte, Our case illustrates c ervical osteophytosis associated with a history of previous cervical s pine trauma. Evaluation and management strategies are discussed.