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Published in: Dysphagia 4/2006

01-10-2006 | Case Report

Anterior Cervical Osteophytes Causing Dysphagia and Dyspnea: An Uncommon Entity Revisited

Authors: Roland Giger, MD, Pavel Dulguerov, MD, Michael Payer, MD

Published in: Dysphagia | Issue 4/2006

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Abstract

Large anterior cervical osteophytes can occur in degeneration of the cervical spine or in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). We present the case of an 83-year-old patient with progressive dysphagia and acute dyspnea, necessitating emergency tracheotomy. Voluminous anterior cervical osteophytes extending from C3 to C7 and narrowing the pharyngoesophageal segment by external compression and bilateral vocal fold immobility were diagnosed radiologically and by fiberoptic laryngoscopy. Surgical removal of all osteophytes led to the resolution of symptoms. Dyspnea with or without dysphagia caused by hypertrophic anterior cervical osteophytes is an uncommon entity. The exhaustive diagnostic workup proposed in the literature could be simplified by using fiberoptic laryngoscopy and dynamic videofluoroscopy. The causes, treatment, and outcome are discussed.
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Metadata
Title
Anterior Cervical Osteophytes Causing Dysphagia and Dyspnea: An Uncommon Entity Revisited
Authors
Roland Giger, MD
Pavel Dulguerov, MD
Michael Payer, MD
Publication date
01-10-2006
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Dysphagia / Issue 4/2006
Print ISSN: 0179-051X
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0460
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-006-9049-0

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