Anterior Cervical Huge Osteophyte Causing Dysphagia: A Case Report

Abstract

The prevalence of anterior cervical osteophyte among elderly patients is high due to many causes such as trauma, degenerative changes, and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. Severe dysphagia is one of the main presenting symptoms for anterior cervical osteophytes. We describe a case of a patient with anterior cervical osteophyte with severe dysphagia and quadriparesis. The 83-year-old man presented to the emergency department following the incident of falling on his face. CT and X-ray were done in the emergency department, which showed huge anterior osteophytes at the level of C3-4 compressing the esophagus. The patient's consent was taken and shifted to the operation room and surgery was done. Anterior cervical osteophyte was removed, a discectomy was performed, and a peek cage and screws were inserted for fusion. In many cases of anterior cervical osteophyte, surgery is considered the ultimate treatment for patients to relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, and decrease mortality.

Dysphagia in a Patient With Lewy Body Dementia and Incidental Anterior Cervical Osteophyte: A Case Report

“…MRI is typically performed in individuals who experience severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing and speaking. It is also performed in patients diagnosed with anterior cervical osteophytes preoperatively to assess any stenosis that can be addressed during the surgical procedure [8].…”

“…In particular, these medical professionals argue that cervical osteophytectomy should be a primary consideration for all cases of dysphagia resulting from a cervical osteophyte. By doing so, they believe that they can prevent the condition from worsening and potentially leading to acute respiratory distress [8]. Maiuri et al provided evidence to support this viewpoint through a case report of a patient who experienced sudden respiratory distress and required an emergency tracheostomy due to chronic dysphagia caused by a cervical osteophyte [5].…”