Early Detection of Anterior Cervical Osteophytes Causing Dysphagia by Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

ABSTRACT

Anterior cervical osteophytes affecting the cervical spine are a rare cause of dysphagia. They may affect the patient's life by compressing the larynx. A 66-year-old male patient complained of dysphagia during swallowing that started five months earlier. During esophagogastroduodenoscopy, the endoscopist felt outside pressure and severe resistance, and a protruded lesion at the posterior wall of the hypopharynx was found. A cervical spine x-ray showed prominent anterior osteophytes at the C-spine 2-5 level. In addition, computed tomography showed esophageal luminal narrowing related to prominent anterior cervical osteophytes at the C-spine 3-4 level. Due to the absence of any effective medical therapy and rapid progression of dysphagia, surgery was recommended to relieve the symptoms. Clinical improvement occurred after surgical resection of the osteophytes through an anterior cervical approach. So we report here on a rare case of anterior cervical osteophytes with dysphagia with review of the relevant literature.