title: [Surgical treatment for Forestier disease: a report of 8 cases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the clinical effects and operative options for the treatment of Forestier disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2005 to May 2012, 8 patients with progressive dysphagia due to Forestier disease were treated through anterior approach, their clinical data were retrospective analyzed. There were 6 males and 2 females, aged from 65 to 83 years old with an average of 73 years. Among the patients, osteophytes removal was performed in 3 cases, osteophytes removal with discectomy and fusion was performed in 2 cases, osteophytes removal with corpectomy and fusion was performed in 3 cases. According to Bazaz dysphagia score to assess the improvement of the patients' symptoms before and after operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were followed up from 12 to 40 months with the mean of 18.5 months. Seven cases were asymptomatic and 1 case had mild symptom in the last follow-up. Radiographs showed the space enlargement between vertebral body and trachea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is effective to treat patients with progressive dysphagia due to Forestier disease through surgical method. And the operative options depend on the stability of cervical spine and the neurological symptoms of the patients.
authors.forename: Ming-sheng
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Hao-ning
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiang-sheng
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004057:Hyperostosis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male