Anterior cervical osteophytes as a cause of pharyngeal stage dysphagia.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the association of anterior cervical osteophytes impairing epiglottic movement as an etiology of pharyngeal stage dysphagia.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review.


METHODS
An academic affiliated Veterans Affairs Medical Center.


METHODS
Veterans 60 years of age or older referred to speech pathology for dysphagia evaluation.


RESULTS
Of 376 veterans evaluated consecutively since 1990, 40 patients had dysphagia determined to be secondary to cervical bony protuberances. The evaluation and management of three cases with functional consequences at level C3-5 with no dysphagia etiology present are described.


CONCLUSIONS
Cervical osteophytes need to be considered in the differential diagnosis of dysphagia in older people.
University of Miami School of Medicine, and GRECC, Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Florida 33125, USA.
L J
LJ
Granville
N
N
Musson
R
R
Altman
M
M
Silverman
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis