title: Cervical osteophyte resulting in compression of the jugular foramen: Case report.
abstract: Jugular foramen syndrome is a condition characterized by unilateral paresis of cranial nerves IX, X, and XI in the setting of extrinsic compression. Here, the authors describe the case of a giant cervical osteophyte resulting in compression of the jugular foramen. A 74-year-old man who presented with progressive dysphagia and dysarthria was found to have right-sided tongue deviation, left palatal droop, and hypophonia. His dysphagia had progressed to the point that he had lost 25 kg over a 4-month period, necessitating a gastrostomy to maintain adequate nutrition. He underwent extensive workup for his dysphagia with several normal radiographic studies. Ultimately, CT scanning and postcontrast MRI revealed a posterior osteophyte arising from the C1-2 joint space and projecting into the right jugular foramen. This resulted in a jugular foramen syndrome in addition to delayed filling of the patient's right internal jugular vein distal to the osteophyte. Although rare, a posterior cervical osteophyte should be considered in cases of jugular foramen syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Andrew Q
authors.initials: AQ
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Walcott
authors.forename: Navid
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Redjal
authors.forename: Jean-Valery
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Coumans
mesh_terms: D020436:Accessory Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D020435:Glossopharyngeal Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins; D008297:Male; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013577:Syndrome; D020421:Vagus Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology
keywords: CN = cranial nerve; cervical spine; jugular foramen; osteophyte; spondylosis