Turkish Neurosurgery 2008 , Vol 18 , Num 4
Dysphagia Due to Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis of the Cervical Spine
İhsan SOLAROĞLU, Özerk OKUTAN, Mustafa KARAKUŞ, Barış SAYGILI, Ethem BEŞKONAKLI
Ankara Atatürk Research and Education Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara, Turkey Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) or Forestier's disease is a common disorder of unknown etiology that is characterized by ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament of the spine and various extra-spinal ligaments. We present the case of a 54-year-old woman with progressive dysphagia due to DISH of the cervical spine, which is a relatively rare pathology in neurosurgical practice. The cervical osteophytes extending from C2 to C4 and external compression of the pharyngoesophageal segment by the large osteophytes were demonstrated by X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography. Surgical removal of the large osteophytes and a shortterm nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug regimen led to the resolution of dysphagia. The clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of this unusual condition are discussed. Keywords : DISH, Dysphagia, Hyperostosis, Osteophyte, Spine, Treatment
Corresponding author : İhsan Solaroğlu, isolaroglu@hotmail.com