Dysphagia Following Anterior Approach Cervical Spinal Surgery in a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis / 대한연하장애학회지

ABSTRACT

The known causes of dysphagia following cervical spine surgery include pre-vertebral soft tissue swelling, decreased posterior pharyngeal movement, and impaired upper esophageal sphincter opening. Some studies have suggested that dysphagia is associated with movement of the cervical vertebrae during swallowing. In the present case, a 59-year-old man with a limited cervical range of motion due to ankylosing spondylitis slipped and fell, resulting in a C7 vertebral body fracture. He underwent anterior cervical discectomy as well as C5-T1 anterior fusion and C5-T2 level postero-lateral fusion. After surgery, he showed signs and symptoms of aspiration. A video-fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) revealed incomplete laryngeal elevation, cricopharyngeal dysfunction, and vallecular remnant. Aspiration was observed in the semisolid-swallowing test. The patient's dysphagia could be attributed to two main causes. First, the esophagus might have been compressed by thickened pre-vertebral soft tissue after surgery. Second, the cervical range of motion, which was already limited by ankylosing spondylitis, might have been limited further by the anterior fusion of the cervical spine. In conclusion, a preoperative evaluation, including VFSS, should be considered before cervical spinal surgery, particularly in patients with ankylosing spondylitis presenting with a limited cervical range of motion.