title: Dysphagia due to diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis of the cervical spine.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Ankara Ataturk Research and Education Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara, Turkey. isolaroglu@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ihsan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Solaroğlu
authors.forename: Ozerk
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Okutan
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karakuş
authors.forename: Bariş
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saygili
authors.forename: Ethem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beşkonakli
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004057:Hyperostosis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal