J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2001 Jun;8(2):176-180. 10.4184/jkss.2001.8.2.176.

Dysphagia Caused by an Anterior Cervical Osteophyte: A Case Report

• Park WW
• Choi YJ

• KMID: 2097759
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2001.8.2.176

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The dysphagia due to the osteophyte of the anterior cervical spine was reported to occur in the old age and lower cervical spine. The authors experienced a case of dysphagia associated with osteophyte of the 3-4th anterior cervical spine without trauma history in a young man.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A 37-year-old man presented with the dysphagia during 2 months. The lateral radiograph and com-puted tomograph of cervical spine showed 1.5 cm sized anterior osteophyte in the 3-4th cervical vertebrae that compressed the arytenoid cartilage anteriorly. In the finding of video laryngoscopy and endoscopy, the posterior hypopharyngeal wall was pro-truded and reflex gastritis was also seen. Through the anterior approach, the excision of osteophyte, discectomy and bone graft was done. RESULT: Dyaphagia was relieved immediately after the removal of osteophyte. The follow up video laryngoscopy showed that the posterior hypopharyngeal wall was normalized. The radiograph showed bone union and no recurrence at 3 year follow up.
CONCLUSION
The surgical removal of anterior cervical osteophyte causing dysphasia showed symptom relief and excellent result at the long-term follow up.

Keyword

Cervical spine; Osteophyte; Dysphagia

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aphasia
Arytenoid Cartilage
Cervical Vertebrae
Deglutition Disorders*
Diskectomy
Endoscopy
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gastritis
Humans
Laryngoscopy
Osteophyte*
Recurrence
Reflex
Spine
Transplants

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Telescopic video laryngoscopy demonstrating the bulging out of posterior hypopharyngeal wall.

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  Fig. 2. Lateral radiography of cervical spine. It shows protruding large osteophyte at C3-4 vertebrae.

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  Fig. 3-A. CT scan at the level of hypopharynx demonstrates that abnormal osteophyte displaces and compress the posterior hypopharyngeal wall. Fig. 3-B. MRI finding shows protruding osteophyte but normal intervertebral disc space.

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  Fig. 4-A. Lateral radiography of cervical spine after excision of osteophyte, discectomy and bone graft. Fig. 4-B. Telescopic video laryngoscopy shows normal posterior hypopharyngeal wall.

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  Fig. 5. Postoperative 3 year lateral radiograph shows solid bone union between C3-4 vertebral body.

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