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Abstract

IntroductionHypertrophic changes of the cervical spine including osteophytes are common, and occur in about 20%-30% of the elderly [1]. Such changes are usually asymptomatic and rarely cause dysphagia. In 1905, Zahn reported two cases of dysphagia due to hypertrophic osteophytes of the cervical spine [2]. In 1950, Forestier and Rotes-Querol described a case of senile ankylosing hyperostosis of the spine, a more severe type of hyperostosis than ankylosing spondylitis [3]. Resnick and Niwayama subsequently coined the term "diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis" (DISH) for Forestier's disease [4]. Here, we present three cases of dysphagia due to cervical hypertrophic osteophytes, which were treated by surgical resection. Case reportsThree men complained of increased dysphagia over the previous 1-3 years and limitation of the range of motion in the cervical spine (Table 1). They were treated by surgical resection of osteophytes after the compression site was confirmed by barium esophagography. Case 1A 68-year-old man had a 3-year history of dysphagia, which had been gradually worsening. The patient complained of dysphagia and limitation of neck motion. A plain radiogram J Orthopaed Traumatol (2002) 3:55-58