title: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis causing dysphagia in a young patient.
abstract: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is an under-diagnosed condition producing flowing ossification of the antero-lateral ligaments of the spine. Affecting predominantly males over 65 years old, it is an unusual cause of dysphagia and dysphonia. We report a 45-year-old mole with a three years history of dysphonia and three months of dysphagia. The initial diagnosis was gastroesophageal reflux, and an endoscopy ruled out esophageal luminal pathology. Cervical spine radiographs showed ossification of the cervical anterior longitudinal ligament with large, prominent osteophytes from C3 to C6, producing esophageal and upper airway compression; these images were compatible with DISH. Cervical osteophyte resection resulted in complete resolution of symptoms. DISH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dysphagia and dysphonia.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ortopedia y Traumatología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile.
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Urrutia
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernardín
authors.forename: Cristián
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Millán
mesh_terms: D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D004057:Hyperostosis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography